CDC Reports Rise in Respiratory Illnesses

According to the most recent Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), respiratory illnesses are trending up, with reports of outpatient respiratory illness now above baseline nationally for the sixth consecutive week.

Seasonal influenza (flu) activity specifically was elevated in most parts of the United States for the week ending December 9, with the southeast, south-central, and west coast areas of the country reporting the highest levels of activity. Influenza A (H1N1) was the virus most frequently reported. The number of weekly flu hospital admissions also continued to increase.

The CDC estimates that there have been at least 3.7 million illnesses, 38,000 hospitalizations, and 2,300 deaths from flu so far this season. Two flu-associated pediatric deaths were reported for the week, bringing the 2023–2024 season total of pediatric deaths to 14.

In a recent advisory, the CDC alerted healthcare professionals to low vaccination rates this season against flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which the agency suggests is due to a lack of provider recommendation, concerns about side effects, an occurrence of mild side effects in the past, and individuals simply putting off or forgetting to get vaccinated.

“Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in national and international respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and RSV, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks,” the CDC warned in the advisory.

For more information regarding the significant impact flu vaccines can have on communities, see Study Suggests Flu Vaccination Could Prevent Millions of Medical Visits.