Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET)

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Purpose and Methods

Population-based surveillance is the collection, analysis and interpretation of data on a population in a specified area.

FluSurv-NET is a population-based surveillance system.

About FluSurv-NET

The Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) is a population-based surveillance system that collects data on laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations among children and adults through a network of acute care hospitals in 14 states.

Why FluSurv-NET Data is Important

FluSurv-NET is CDC’s source for important data on hospitalization rates associated with flu. FluSurv-NET also provides demographic and clinical information including age, sex and underlying medical conditions among persons hospitalized with flu. Data gathered are used to estimate age-specific hospitalization rates on a weekly basis and to describe characteristics of persons hospitalized with influenza illness.

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Hospitalization Rates
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Patient Characteristics

FluSurv-NET Data Collection

For FluSurv-NET, a case is defined as a person who is a resident in a defined FluSurv-NET catchment area and tests positive for influenza by a laboratory test ordered by a health care professional within 14 days prior to or during hospitalization. Laboratory confirmation is defined by a positive result of a viral culture, direct or indirect fluorescent antibody staining, rapid antigen test, or molecular assay.

Clinical data are abstracted from medical charts by trained surveillance officers using a standardized case report form, so the data are collected in a uniform way. The following types of data are collected for each case:

  • age
  • sex
  • race and ethnicity
  • surveillance site
  • current season influenza vaccination status
  • date of hospital admission
  • evidence of positive influenza test
  • clinical (medical) history (underlying health conditions)
  • clinical course
  • medical interventions (e.g., receipt of antiviral treatment, mechanical ventilation)
  • outcomes (e.g., discharged from the hospital, in-hospital death)

How FluSurv-NET Calculates Hospitalization Rates

Hospitalization rates are calculated as the number of residents of a defined area who are hospitalized with a positive influenza laboratory test divided by the total population within the defined area. NCHS bridged-race population estimates are used as denominators.

FluSurv-NET Coverage

FluSurv-NET coverage area includes more than 70 counties in 14 states that participate in the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) and the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Program (IHSP). Participating states include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah.

FluSurv-NET covers more than 29 million people and includes an estimated 9 percent of the U.S. population. The counties covered are located in all 10 Health and Human Services (HHS) regionsexternal icon. The designated FluSurv-NET surveillance area is generally similar to the U.S. population by demographics; however, the information might not be generalizable to the entire country.

Accessing FluSurv-NET Data

Influenza-associated hospitalization rates are reported to CDC on a weekly basis from October 1 through April 30 of each influenza season. FluSurv-NET data, including hospitalization rates for different age groups and data on patient characteristics, are available on Fluview and Fluview Interactive.

FluSurv-NET hospitalization data are preliminary during each season; data presented may change as more reports are received. In particular, case counts for recent hospital admissions are subject to reporting lags. As data are received each week during the influenza season, prior case counts and rates may be updated.

How FluSurv-NET contributes to CDC’s Influenza Burden Estimates

CDC uses FluSurv-NET data in combination with other data sources to estimate annual and weekly disease burden of influenza in the United States. Estimates are made of symptomatic illnesses, medically attended illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths. Reported rates are adjusted in an attempt to correct for the under-detection of influenza. This adjustment is done by using the percent of people hospitalized with respiratory illnesses who were tested for influenza and the average sensitivity of influenza tests used in the participating FluSurv-NET hospitals. Weekly estimates of influenza burden are available during each influenza season. Annual estimates of US influenza burden flu burden averted by influenza vaccination are available online.

FluSurv-NET Publications

Additional Resources
Page last reviewed: October 1, 2020
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)