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CDC: Influenza activity remains elevated, has not peaked yet
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Influenza activity remains elevated in most areas of the United States after an early start to the season, the CDC reported today.
Although some of the numbers have decreased this week, trends are harder to predict from data over the holiday season, according to CDC director Thomas Frieden, MD.
Thomas Frieden
“The only thing predictable about the flu is that it’s unpredictable,” Frieden said during a media briefing. “Only time will tell us how long our season lasts and how moderate or severe the season will be.”
There were two pediatric influenza-related deaths during week 1, which ended on January 5, bringing the total number of pediatric deaths this season to 20. In addition, the number of deaths related to pneumonia and influenza in adults rose to slightly above the threshold for the first time this season, Frieden said.
The number of outpatient visits was 4.3%, lower than the 6% from the previous week, but still above the national baseline of 2.2%. Twenty-four states and New York City experienced high influenza-like illness activity, down from 29 in the previous week. Sixteen states saw moderate influenza-like illness activity.
There were 12,876 specimens tested for this week, of which 32.8% were positive for influenza. So far this season, 14,224 specimens were influenza A (H3N2), 256 were 2009 H1N1, 6,375 were influenza B and 7,892 specimens did not undergo subtyping.
Frieden said that this year’s influenza vaccine effectiveness is approximately 62%. With vaccination, patients are about 60% less likely to get influenza that requires a visit to the doctor.
“What we’ve known for a long time is that the flu vaccine is far from perfect, but it is still, by far, the best tool we have to prevent the flu,” Frieden said.
There have been reports of vaccine shortages, and Frieden said that patients may have to try several places before finding vaccine availability. There have been more than 130 million doses produced, but most have already been given, he said.