US Flu Cases Near Highest Level in 15 Years

In late January, doctor’s office visits driven by flu-like symptoms were clearly higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010, according to PBS News.

At least 24 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths from flu have occurred so far this season, according to data posted Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency said in its weekly flu surveillance report that seasonal influenza activity continues to increase nationwide.

Ten pediatric deaths associated with seasonal influenza virus infection were reported last week, bringing the 2024-2025 season total to 57 pediatric deaths.

Overall, 43 states reported high or very high flu activity last week. The flu was most prevalent in the South, Southwest, and West. According to the report, 7.8% of visits to a healthcare provider last week were for respiratory illness. Outpatient respiratory illness is increasing and remains above baseline nationally for the tenth consecutive week, the CDC said.

Emergency department visits that ended with a diagnosis of influenza for the week ended Feb. 1 was 8%, compared with 1% of emergency department patients that were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 0.5% diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus, Reuters reported.

The CDC declined to brief reporters about the flu upswing, multiple media outlets reported. As CMM previously reported, the CDC halted external communications.