The Virginia Department of Health works closely with physicians and laboratories across Virginia to monitor influenza each year and anticipate the onset of flu season in the state. Sentinel doctors from all parts of Virginia report the number of patients seen in their offices with influenza-like illnesses (an illness with symptoms of the flu such as fever of 100 degrees or higher and a cough or sore throat) to the health department each week during flu season. Additionally, various medical and health care settings including laboratories, medical care facilities and clinics across Virginia report sporadic cases of influenza to the health department year-round.
Many people who have the flu are not seen by a doctor and so the information collected by physicians and other surveillance partners does not represent all cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Virginia. However, the numbers of ILI collected are vital in allowing the health department to monitor the relative levels of flu activity and provide public health recommendations to Virginians and weekly reports on influenza activity in Virginia to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.