State health officials have confirmed a spike in influenza-like illnesses over a six-week period from the week ending Nov. 5 through Dec. 3.

According to Hawai'i Sentinel Physician Practices data used by the state Health Department, 207 of 5,734 patients treated by monitoring doctors in November and December suffered influenza-like illnesses.

During the first week in December, 4.8 percent of patients in the monitoring system had the flu, above the national rate of 1.3 percent for that period.

"We're seeing a lot of increased activity but at this point, it doesn't look really significant," said Dr. Linda Rosen, the Department of Health's deputy director of health resources. "It may not be a clear peak. Public health officials would be concerned if there were more severe cases or more elderly pneumonia cases."

Influenza can lead to pneumonia. It's pneumonia that's most often the cause of death in severe cases.

In the six-week period ending Dec. 3, 37 people in Hawai'i with influenza died of pneumonia-related conditions. At the same time, 529 people were being treated for pneumonia and influenza, according to the sentinel physicians practice reports.

However, during the week ending Dec. 17, 14 of 73 patients with pneumonia and influenza died, according to sentinel reports. Among the 14 were an infant under 28 days old, one person in the 65-74 age group, five others in the 75-84 age bracket, and seven who were 85 years and older.

A week earlier, Hawai'i's pneumonia and influenza mortality rate of three deaths among 81 patients was the lowest among 122 U.S. cities charted.

"This year, we're not seeing any changes in numbers in Hawai'i or any clear patterns," Rosen said.

Rosen added that more people being vaccinated has contributed to a milder flu season. "People are also more concerned about washing hands and covering their mouths when coughing," she said.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.