#17,821
As telegraphed by yesterday's CDC HAN #00503: Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, influenza activity is increasing across the nation, based on the latest data presented by the CDC's weekly FluView Report.
Some of the data presented is only updated through Dec. 2nd, although this report is for Week 49, ending December 9, 2023. Data collection and reporting is often delayed during the holidays.
The CDC's Key points for week 49:
- Seasonal influenza activity is elevated in most parts of the country, with the southeast, south-central, and west coast areas of the country reporting the highest levels of activity.
- Outpatient respiratory illness is above baseline1 nationally for the sixth consecutive week and is above baseline in all 10 HHS Regions.
- The number of weekly flu hospital admissions continues to increase.
- Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during Week 49, bringing the 2023-2024 season total to 14 pediatric deaths.
- During Week 49, of the 971 viruses reported by public health laboratories, 806 (83%) were influenza A and 165 (17%) were influenza B. Of the 500 influenza A viruses subtyped during week 49, 374 (74.8%) were influenza A(H1N1) and 126 (25.2%) were A(H3N2).
- CDC estimates that there have been at least 3.7 million illnesses, 38,000 hospitalizations, and 2,300 deaths from flu so far this season.
- CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine, as there are still vaccines available.2 Now is still a good time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already.
- There also are prescription flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat flu illness; those should be started as early as possible and are especially important for higher risk patients.3
- Flu viruses are among several viruses that contribute to respiratory disease activity. CDC is providing updated, integrated information about COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity on a weekly basis.
A comparison of recent respiratory seasons (2018-2023) shows a wide variation in the arrival time, and intensity, of each `flu' season. A reminder that no two flu seasons are the same, and we should expect surprises, particularly with the addition of COVID to the mix.
With perhaps months of the flu season still ahead of us, it isn't too late to get both the flu and COVID vaccines, and face masks and hand sanitizer can add prudent additional layers of protection.
