State public health officials report a decrease in influenza activity for the week ending January 7, 2012. However, the latest NC Division of Public Health (NCDPH) Flu Report cautions that the usual peak of influenza activity is during January or February, noting that we can expect to see consistent increases during the next few weeks. No flu-associated deaths have been reported in the state since the end of the 2010-2011 flu season. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports flu activity in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere remains below seasonal thresholds, though notable increases in activity have been reported in some areas of Canada, Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East. The viruses detected throughout the northern hemisphere temperate zone have been predominately of the A(H3N2) type. Only very small numbers of A(H1N1) have been reported in recent weeks.

More information is available at www.flu.nc.gov and at http://www.cdc.gov/flu.