Record Jump In H1N1 Hospitalizations In Georgia

Record Jump In H1N1 Hospitalizations In Georgia
17:57
March 18, 2010

Georgia has reported 80 H1N1 hospitalizations for the week of 3/3-3/9, which is one shy of the record number in week 9/23-9/29. The current jump of 42 from the prior week is the largest weekly increase recorded for Georgia and extends earlier increases seen in region 4. Moreover, the doubling of hospitalizations threatens to significantly impact health care deliveries if the rate of increase continues.

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of the first confirmed H1N1 case in Mexico, and a third wave has been predicted, as has been seen in the three most recent pandemics in 1918, 1957, and 1968.

The record jump in hospitalized cases comes at a time when Georgia and several states are reporting regional activity, indicating the hospitalization rate is markedly higher than earlier waves. Recent genetic changes, including the increase in D225G/N as well as H274Y have raised concerns that a new wave would have a higher frequency of severe and fatal cases.

The latest report from Georgia is consistent with this prediction.