The U.S. may see a higher amount of flu deaths this season compared to past years, preliminary data from the CDC suggests.
The CDC estimates there have already been 13,000 to 39,000 flu deaths nationwide this season, which began Oct. 1. The high end of this estimate, which covers admissions through Dec. 24, surpasses cumulative death toll estimates for six of the past seven flu seasons. This includes the 2020-21 season for which there was incomplete data due to minimal flu activity.
The percentage of deaths due to flu or pneumonia was 9.1 percent in the week ending Dec. 24, according to the CDC's latest FluView report. This figure has been increasing since early November.
Early signs suggest flu may peak early in the U.S. this season, though health experts are cautiously monitoring whether heightened travel and indoor gatherings amid the holiday season will spur another uptick in activity.
Here is how current flu death figures compare to past seasons, based on CDC data.
Note: A death estimate is not available for the 2020-21 season due to minimal flu activity amid the pandemic, the CDC said.
|
Season |
Percentage of deaths due to flu or pneumonia in week 51 (ending Dec. 24) |
||
|
2022-2023 |
9.1 |
283 |
13,000-39,000 |
|
2021-2022* |
13.2 |
86 |
5,000 |
|
2020-2021 |
17.3 |
32 |
N/A |
|
2019-2020 |
6.1 |
129 |
25,000 |
|
2018-2019 |
6.3 |
88 |
28,000 |
|
2017-2018 |
7.3 |
359 |
52,000 |
|
2016-2017 |
6.8 |
92 |
38,000 |
|
2015-2016 |
6.7 |
15 |
23,000 |
*Estimates for the 2021-2022 season are preliminary.