Reports were received from 138 schools, with a total population of 64,951 students. The absenteeism rate was 5.26%. This rate is down from 5.43% the week before.
Reports were received from 50 nursing homes with a total population of 7,328. The reported influenza-like illness rate was 1.64%, up from 1.41% the week before.
Reports were received from 42 hospital emergency departments. During the 24 hour surveillance period, a total of 3,856 patients were seen, of which 5.52% were being seen because of a respiratory influenza-like illness. This figure was down from 6.20% the week before.
In the past week, there have been no new viral cultures positive for influenza reported.
Nationwide, since October 1, 65% of influenza specimens typed have been A, and 35% have been B. Of those typed as A, 97% were H1N1 and 3% were H3N2. Of the H1N1, 97% were similar to the A New Caledonia strain that was included in this year's vaccine. The remaining 3% were similar to A Bayern. Although the A Bayern strain is antigenically distinct from the A New Caledonia strain, there is good cross-reactivity between the antibody produced by the A New Caledonia vaccine component and the A Bayern virus, thus this year's vaccine should provide good protection against A Bayern. All H3N2 virus isolated was antigenically similar to the A Panama strain included in this year's vaccine. Of the influenza B viruses isolated,28% have been antigenically similar to B Beijing which was included in this year's vaccine. The remaining 72% have been antigenically similar to B Sichuan which has good cross-reactivity with B Beijing. Thus this year's vaccine is providing good coverage against the virus strains known to be circulating in the United States at this time.
Influenza-like activity has continued at lower levels during the past week. Reported influenza-like activity has not reached outbreak levels. This activity is similar to what is being reported from the rest of the United States. We are reaching the end of the typical Influenza season in New Jersey. Although it is still possible for influenza-like illness to occur in the coming weeks, it is increasingly unlikely that any such activity would be caused by the influenza virus.
Northeastern New Jersey
| Schools % Absent | Nursing Homes % with ILI | Emergency Departments % visits with ILI | |
| Bergen | NR | NR | NR |
| Essex | 5.05 | NR | 8.59 |
| Hudson | 4.83 | 2.53 | 1.53 |
| Middlesex | 4.23 | 1.99 | 11.30 |
| Monmouth | 4.80 | 0.93 | 5.40 |
| Passaic | 15.90 | 1.29 | 4.29 |
| Union | 8.59 | 3.33 | 6.45 |
| Regional Total | 5.49 | 1.73 | 7.02 |
Northwestern New Jersey
| Schools % Absent | Nursing Homes % with ILI | Emergency Departments % visits with ILI | |
| Hunterdon | 3.97 | 2.43 | 0.00 |
| Mercer | NR | NR | NR |
| Morris | 3.19 | 0.87 | 0.60 |
| Somerset | NR | NR | NR |
| Sussex | 3.62 | 0.99 | 3.92 |
| Warren | 5.86 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Regional Total | 4.16 | 1.11 | 1.18 |
Southern New Jersey
| Schools % Absent | Nursing Homes % with ILI | Emergency Departments % visits with ILI | |
| Atlantic | 5.47 | 1.08 | 5.92 |
| Burlington | NR | NR | 1.79 |
| Camden | 7.67 | 2.66 | 4.91 |
| Cape May | 4.43 | 5.36 | 12.12 |
| Cumberland | 4.91 | 2.75 | 6.96 |
| Gloucester | 5.22 | 0.87 | 5.37 |
| Ocean | 6.70 | 0.76 | 3.62 |
| Salem | 3.55 | 1.31 | 1.89 |
| Regional Total | 5.47 | 1.92 | 5.19 |
| Statewide Total | 5.26 | 1.64 | 5.52 |
NR = no report