Update: influenza activity--United States, 1998-99 season

Abstract

This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States from October 4, 1998, through February 27, 1999. It also presents results of an investigation of an influenza outbreak among staff and residents at one long-term-care facility (LTCF), and estimates the 1998-99 influenza vaccine effectiveness against the circulating influenza A(H3N2) viruses at that facility. Based on influenza surveillance data, influenza activity in the United States began to increase in mid-January 1999 and remained elevated in most regions of the country through the week ending February 27.