In the week ending Feb. 15, 3% of all deaths were due to flu — nearly four times the rate at this point last season. This figure has been rising since early November and is higher than the same period in the past eight flu seasons. The weekly flu death count (712) also exceeds last year’s weekly tally (463).
The weekly rate of flu and pneumonia deaths combined remain in line with the past two seasons, suggesting this flu season is unusually severe in terms of direct flu-related fatalities.
In total, the CDC estimates 16,000 to 79,000 flu deaths nationwide so far this season, covering deaths through Feb. 8.
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 |
|||
|
2024-2025* |
3 |
712 |
16,000 to 79,000 (as of Feb. 8) |
|
2023-2024* |
0.8 |
463 |
28,000 |
|
2022-2023* |
0.2 |
118 |
21,000 |
|
2021-2022 |
0.09 |
67 |
6,300 |
|
2020-2021 |
0.02 |
19 |
N/A |
|
2019-2020 |
1 |
560 |
22,000 |
|
2018-2019 |
0.8 |
483 |
28,000 |
|
2017-2018 |
2 |
1,179 |
51,000 |
|
2016-2017 |
0.9 |
545 |
38,000 |
*Cumulative flu death estimates for these seasons are preliminary.
