CDC: Flu activity on the rise

Brian Zimmerman -

Overall influenza activity increased during the week ending Nov. 11 compared to previous weeks, according to the CDC's most recent update on flu activity for the 2017-18 flu season.

Here are four things to know.

1. The percentage of respiratory specimens that tested positive for influenza in clinical laboratories increased last week. The most frequently identified virus type in positive specimens was influenza A.

2. The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness for the week was 1.9 percent. This figure sits below the national baseline of 2.2 percent, but represents a 0.1 percent uptick from the week prior and the third consecutive week of a reported increase.

3. The number of influenza-related pediatric deaths for the 2017-18 flu season remained at one.

4. Guam, Puerto Rico and nine states reported regional flu activity for the week; 13 states reported local flu activity; the U.S. Virgin Islands and 26 states reported sporadic flu activity; Washington, D.C., and two states reported no flu activity.

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