The last public update from CDC regarding the status of A/H3N2v in the United States was January 6, referring to information end-dated (and originally posted) on December 23rd (exactly one month ago). This update did not reflect test results for the Marin County suspect case. The January 6th MMWR Editorial Note stated:
Human infections with the influenza viruses currently circulating among swine are rare. Since 2005, only 35 cases have been reported in the United States, but the frequency with which they have been detected increased in 2011. When different influenza viruses simultaneously infect a single host (e.g., a human or swine), exchange of genetic material can occur, resulting in a new influenza virus. Depending on the antigenic distance between the new virus and recently circulating seasonal viruses, little or no immunity might exist in the human population.
Despite this apparent concern, situational awareness has been scant, with substantial time deltas between detection and warning noted. The latest Flu Weekly provides no information on A/H3N2v antigenic characterization. There is no indication of "samples received for testing" versus "samples actually tested". Therefore the lab processing backlog is in question.
Put another way:
"What is the status of A/H3N2v in the United States???"
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