U.S. Flu continues to ebb as pediatric deaths reach 198

Flu continues to ebb in US as pediatric deaths reach 198 One state, however—New York—reports high activity of influenza-like illness. CIDRAP

US flu activity declined steadily again last week, with rates of influenza-like illness (ILI) dropping further and staying below baseline levels, but flu-related deaths in children climbed to 198, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its weekly update Friday. ...

One state, however—New York—reported high ILI activity. The previous week, no US jurisdiction recorded high or very high activity. Two states have moderate activity, down from five the previous week. Test positivity for flu is now at 6.7%, down from 7.6%. Hospitalizations and deaths are both down, but the cumulative hospitalization rate for this season—125.6 patients per 100,000 population—is the highest since the 2010-11 season.