CDC reports 1st pediatric flu death for 2017-2018 flu season

While influenza activity remained low for the week ending Oct. 21, the CDC on Friday reported the first pediatric flu death of 2017-2018 flu season.

Here are four things to know.

1. The 2017-2018 pediatric flu death count is now at one. During last year's flu season, 108 pediatric deaths occurred.  

2. The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 1.3 percent, which sits below the national baseline of 2.2 percent.

3. The CDC on Friday confirmed one human case of an influenza variant derived from pigs this flu season. The illness occurred in a child under age 18 exposed to swine at a fair in August. The CDC has tallied 62 variant influenza cases so far in 2017.  

4. Guam reported regional flu activity for the week; Puerto Rico and 12 states reported local flu activity; Washington, D.C., and 33 states reported sporadic flu activity; five states reported no activity; and U.S. Virgin Islands did not give the CDC a report on flu activity.

More articles on infection control: 
Flu vaccine improves outcome rate for other infections: 6 study findings 
Nebraska VA hospital put 87 patients on secret waiting list to receive delayed care 
Top 10 infection control stories, Oct. 23-27

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