Analyzing the Spatiotemporal Patterns of Seasonal Influenza in the United States
By
Louis Yat Hin Chan
Sinead Morris
Norman Hassell
Perrine Marcenac
Alexia Couture
Arielle Colon
Krista Kniss
Alicia Budd
Matthew Biggerstaff
Rebecca Borchering
March 4, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Analyzing the Spatiotemporal Patterns of Seasonal Influenza in the United States
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Seasonal Influenza Key Mechanisms Influenza viruses primarily classified into types A and B, with A/H1 and A/H3 causing most infections. Target Population General population in the United States, particularly during seasonal outbreaks. Care Setting Outpatient and virologic surveillance systems.
Key Highlights
Seasonal influenza leads to significant morbidity and mortality in the U.S. The 2017/2018 season resulted in an estimated 35–52 million symptomatic illnesses. Influenza activity typically peaks between December and February. Spatial patterns of influenza outbreaks vary annually and by geography. Surveillance data indicate that outbreaks often originate in the Southeastern U.S. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize outpatient illness surveillance and virologic surveillance data for diagnosis. Management
Implement preventive measures based on spatiotemporal patterns of influenza activity. Monitoring & Follow-up
Regularly monitor influenza-like illness (ILI) and laboratory-confirmed influenza cases. Risks
Consider the variability in influenza activity due to climate, population density, and viral evolution. Patient & Prescribing Data
Individuals experiencing influenza-like symptoms during seasonal outbreaks.
Treatment should be guided by surveillance data indicating regional influenza activity.
Clinical Best Practices
Incorporate spatial information into influenza forecasting models. Utilize k-means clustering for analyzing spatial clusters of influenza activity. Apply ANOVA to explain regional differences in influenza dynamics. Related Resources & Content
