Influenza activity remains low but is increasing across the U.S., according to the CDC’s latest FluView report.
The agency updated data on flu trends Nov. 14, offering the first national snapshot of respiratory virus activity since September. The update follows a nearly two-month blackout in national reporting, during which states had to pause dashboard updates or rely on internal data amid the federal government shutdown.
Here are five notes on how influenza activity is tracking in the U.S., per the FluView report, which reflects data for the week ending Nov. 8:
1. Less than 1% of ED visits were flu-related, a figure that remained relatively stable compared to the previous week. However, flu-related ED visits are rising among children. The virus accounted for about 1% of visits among children 4 and younger, and 1.3% among those ages 5-17.
2. Nationally, 1,665 patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza were admitted to the hospital, up slightly from the previous week. Overall, flu activity remains low, with all states reporting “minimal” or “low” activity.
3. A little more than 2% of outpatient visits were due to respiratory illness for the week ending Nov. 8. This reflects patients who presented with a fever plus a cough or sore throat.
4. Of the 867 specimens tested by clinical laboratories this week, 2% were positive for flu. The majority of positive tests were for influenza A.
5. Influenza A strains are generally known to cause more severe illness, particularly in young children and older adults. A version of the H3N2 subtype — a type of influenza A — is driving unusually early and intense flu outbreaks in countries including Canada, the U.K. and Japan. Experts say the strain has acquired multiple mutations since the vaccine was developed, raising concern about how flu season could unfold in the U.S.
