Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality
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2004 Case Definition
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An influenza-associated death is defined for surveillance
purposes as a death resulting from a clinically compatible
illness that was confirmed to be influenza by an appropriate
laboratory or rapid diagnostic test. There should be no period
of complete recovery between the illness and death.
Influenza-associated deaths in all persons aged <18 years should
be reported.
A death should not be reported if:
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There is no laboratory confirmation of influenza virus
infection. |
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The influenza illness is followed by full recovery to
baseline health status prior to death. |
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The death occurs in a person 18 years or older. |
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After review and consultation there is an alternative agreed
upon cause of death. |
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| Laboratory criteria for
diagnosis Laboratory testing for influenza virus
infection may be done on pre- or post-mortem clinical specimens,
and include identification of influenza A or B virus infections
by a positive result by at least one of the following:
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Influenza virus isolation in tissue cell culture from
respiratory specimens; |
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Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
testing of respiratory specimens; |
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Immunofluorescent antibody staining (direct or indirect) of
respiratory specimens; |
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Rapid influenza diagnostic testing of respiratory specimens; |
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Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for influenza viral
antigens in respiratory tract tissue from autopsy specimens; |
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Four-fold rise in influenza hemagglutination inhibition (HI)
antibody titer in paired acute and convalescent sera*. |
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| Case classification
Confirmed - A death meeting the clinical case definition that
is laboratory confirmed.
Laboratory or rapid diagnostic test confirmation is required
as part of the case definition; therefore, all reported deaths
will be classified as confirmed.
Comment
*Serologic testing for influenza is available in a limited
number of laboratories, and should only be considered as
evidence of recent infection if a four-fold rise in influenza
(HI) antibody titer is demonstrated in paired sera. Single serum
samples are not interpretable.
To Report an Influenza-Associated Pediatric Death,
contact: |
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