According to the CDC’s weekly influenza surveillance update, diagnosed cases of the flu continue to rise in the US, with an estimated 155,000-186,000 flu hospitalizations, as of February 2, 2019.
An additional four pediatric deaths were also reported for the week of Jan 27 to Feb 2, bringing the total to 28 for the season. Other key data include:
- Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses have predominated in most areas of the country, however influenza A(H3) viruses have predominated in the southeastern United States (HHS Region 4).
- The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) increased to 4.3%, which is above the national baseline of 2.2%.
- All 10 regions reported ILI at or above their region-specific baseline level.
- New York City and 24 states experienced high ILI activity.
- A cumulative rate of 20.1 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations per 100,000 population was reported.
- The highest hospitalization rate is among adults 65 years and older (53.0 hospitalizations per 100,000 population).
