US flu activity remains low: 5 things to know

Megan Knowles -

In the week ending Oct. 27, influenza activity remains at a low level in the U.S., but small increases in activity were reported, according to the CDC's most recent FluView report

Here are five things to know:

1. Influenza A viruses have predominated in the U.S. since July. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories was low.

2. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenzalike illness increased slightly to 1.7 percent, which is below the national baseline of 2.2 percent. All regions reported influenzalike illness below their region-specific baseline level.

3. Five states reported local flu activity; 43 states reported sporadic activity; and two states reported no activity.

4. The number of deaths linked to pneumonia and influenza fell below the system-specific epidemic threshold in the National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Surveillance System.

5. Three influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to the CDC. One death occurred during the 2018-19 season and two occurred during the 2017-18 season.

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