Flu Data, Reports, Maps

2017-18 S.C. Flu Activity and Surveillance

Surveillance can tell us the trend of influenza in South Carolina, but it cannot tell us exactly how many cases of influenza there are in the state. This is because not everyone who gets the influenza goes to the doctor to get tested and we have no way of monitoring these unreported cases of flu.

The format of Flu Watch, the weekly summary of influenza activity in South Carolina has been revised. The data collected, data collection methods, and data analyses have not changed but new graphs and tables are included to simplify viewing and comparing influenza surveillance data. Definitions and descriptions of the South Carolina influenza surveillance components are provided in a separate document below.

Week of October 29, 2017 - November 4, 2017 (MMWR Week 44): Regional

Read the complete Flu Watch: South Carolina's Weekly Surveillance Report - (PDF): 
Updated November 8, 2017

Past Reports

• 2016-2017 Weekly Surveillance Reports
  • S.C. 2016-17 End of Season Flu Report (pdf)
• 2015-2016 Weekly Surveillance Reports
• 2014-2015 Weekly Surveillance Reports
  • S.C. 2014-15 End of Season Flu Report (pdf)
• 2013-2014 Weekly Surveillance Reports
  • S.C. 2013-2014 End of Season Flu Report (pdf)
• S.C. 2012-2013 End of Season Flu Report (pdf)
  • 2012-2013 Weekly Surveillance Reports

U.S. Flu Activity

Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website for national statistics on flu.

International Flu Activity

Visit the World Health Organization's (WHO) website for global flu activity updates.

What is Influenza (Flu) Surveillance?

Each year, DHEC and U.S. public health experts monitor influenza (flu) and other diseases. This activity is called disease surveillance.

Influenza (flu) surveillance allows DHEC and the CDC to see what impact flu is having on the health of residents.  Surveillance helps us to:

• Determine whether the influenza virus is what is causing flu-like symptoms (Sometimes other conditions have influenza-like symptoms but are not influenza.);
• Understand which new flu viruses are circulating in South Carolina (The types of influenza virus that infect people often change from one flu season to the next.);
• Tell us when the influenza virus first appears in the state and also when it decreases;
• Determine where in the state the influenza virus is circulating; and
• Understand what types of vaccines are most likely to succeed the following year.

In South Carolina, influenza surveillance consists of several components. Each component provides different types of information about influenza; together, they create a solid overview of influenza activity in the state.

Related Information

See additional S.C. public health data