The latest available flu data for the United States shows high or very high activity in nearly every state, including rising numbers in Vermont.Top video: How to stay healthy during flu seasonThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its flu activity numbers for the week ending Jan. 3, which shows an increase in cases in Vermont.Previously, Vermont showed Low flu activity, but as of this latest update, the state has been upgraded to Moderate.New York continues to show Very High levels of flu activity, in keeping with the previous week’s reporting.Despite the increase in cases in Vermont, the positivity rate for influenza was 24.7% as of the week ending Jan. 3, a decrease from the week prior. Additionally, 7.2% of visits to health care providers were for a respiratory illness — also a decrease from the week prior.The CDC cautioned that despite some indicators declining from the prior week, the change may be from “healthcare seeking or reporting during the holidays rather than an indication that influenza activity has peaked.”Flu activity levels are calculated by the CDC by measuring the proportion of outpatient visits to providers that have “influenza-like” illnesses. The average percentage of visits is compared to non-influenza weeks.There have been 17 pediatric deaths related to influenza this season, according to the CDC. An additional eight new pediatric deaths related to flu occurred in the most recent week of reporting.As of this latest report, 25 states had very high flu activity levels. The week prior, there were 30 states with very high levels of flu activity.There were 17 states with high levels of flu-like activity. No states had minimal levels of flu activity, and just three were at low levels.The CDC increased its classification of this year’s flu season from low to moderately severe as of the week ending Dec. 27. Severity takes into account outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses, flu-related hospitalizations and flu deaths.A new flu strain of the influenza A virus called subclade K has also been introduced this season. The variant was responsible for early surges in the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan.Most of the flu cases reported by laboratories have been the influenza A virus. Out of a sampling of the influenza A tested since Sept. 28, more than 91% were the new variant.
The latest available flu data for the United States shows high or very high activity in nearly every state, including rising numbers in Vermont.
Top video: How to stay healthy during flu season
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its flu activity numbers for the week ending Jan. 3, which shows an increase in cases in Vermont.
Previously, Vermont showed Low flu activity, but as of this latest update, the state has been upgraded to Moderate.
New York continues to show Very High levels of flu activity, in keeping with the previous week’s reporting.
Despite the increase in cases in Vermont, the positivity rate for influenza was 24.7% as of the week ending Jan. 3, a decrease from the week prior. Additionally, 7.2% of visits to health care providers were for a respiratory illness — also a decrease from the week prior.
The CDC cautioned that despite some indicators declining from the prior week, the change may be from “healthcare seeking or reporting during the holidays rather than an indication that influenza activity has peaked.”
Flu activity levels are calculated by the CDC by measuring the proportion of outpatient visits to providers that have “influenza-like” illnesses. The average percentage of visits is compared to non-influenza weeks.
There have been 17 pediatric deaths related to influenza this season, according to the CDC. An additional eight new pediatric deaths related to flu occurred in the most recent week of reporting.
As of this latest report, 25 states had very high flu activity levels. The week prior, there were 30 states with very high levels of flu activity.
There were 17 states with high levels of flu-like activity. No states had minimal levels of flu activity, and just three were at low levels.
The CDC increased its classification of this year’s flu season from low to moderately severe as of the week ending Dec. 27. Severity takes into account outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses, flu-related hospitalizations and flu deaths.
A new flu strain of the influenza A virus called subclade K has also been introduced this season. The variant was responsible for early surges in the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan.
Most of the flu cases reported by laboratories have been the influenza A virus. Out of a sampling of the influenza A tested since Sept. 28, more than 91% were the new variant.
