CDC switches discussion from nukes to flu spike

In a late decision, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has switched the topic of its Public Health Grand Round, to be held 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, from nuclear-attack preparedness to “Public Health Response to a Sharp Increase in Severe Seasonal Influenza.”

Because of the last-minute change, registration will not be necessary to tune into the CDC Grand Rounds Live Web Stream. The Pittsburgh PostGazette published a story Sunday about preparedness to a nuclear detonation based on CDC’s decision to address the topic in the Grand Round presentation.

“The topic for CDC’s Public Health Grand Rounds on [Tuesday] will now focus on influenza,” the CDC states. “With the spike in flu cases around the country, this Grand Rounds will provide key and timely information for public health professionals on how to reduce the spread of seasonal flu in communities and adjust to spot shortages in antiviral drugs

Allegheny County has witnessed a spike in cases in the final weeks of 2017, with the largest spike last week. As of Thursday, there have been 2,260 confirmed cases, 260 hospitalizations and three deaths reported to the health department, with updates each Tuesday. The actual number of flu cases typically is higher than confirmed cases.

Key to the problem is that this season’s flu vaccine does not fully respond, if at all, to a variant form of the H3N2 virus, the major strain of flu virus to date.

The public health topic on nuclear preparedness will be rescheduled for a future Grand Rounds, the CDC said.