The U.S. may see a higher amount of flu cases this season compared to past years, preliminary CDC estimates suggest.
Flu activity is falling nationwide after an early and severe start to the virus season, according to the CDC's Jan. 20 FluView report. Three percent of outpatient visits were for flu-like illness in the week ending Jan. 14, marking the seventh consecutive week of decline.
The CDC estimates there have already been 25 million to 50 million flu cases nationwide this season. The low end of this estimate, which only covers admissions through Jan. 14, surpasses the cumulative hospitalization total seen in six of the past 12 flu seasons. This includes the 2020-21 season for which there was incomplete data due to minimal flu activity. The high end of this estimate surpasses every total seen since the 2010-11 season.
Here's how current flu case figures compare to past seasons, based on estimates from the CDC.
Note: A total hospitalization estimate is not available for the 2020-21 season due to minimal flu activity amid the pandemic, the CDC said.
|
Season |
Total symptomatic illnesses |
|
2022-2023 |
25-50 million (as of Jan. 14) |
|
2021-2022* |
9 million |
|
2020-2021 |
N/A |
|
2019-2020 |
36 million |
|
2018-2019 |
29 million |
|
2017-2018 |
41 million |
|
2016-2017 |
29 million |
|
2015-2016 |
24 million |
|
2014-2015 |
30 million |
|
2013-2014 |
30 million |
|
2012-2013 |
34 million |
|
2011-2012 |
9.3 million |
|
2010-2011 |
21 million |
*Estimates for the 2021-2022 season are preliminary.
See how flu admissions compared to past seasons here and how flu deaths compare here.