12 Influenza Deaths Reported Last Week

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Mortality Surveillance data available on August 10, 2023, shows that 5.9% of the deaths during week #31 in the U.S. were due to pneumonia, influenza, and/or COVID-19.

Among these reported deaths, 12 death certificates listed influenza.

Previously, 166 influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurred during the 2022-2023 flu season have been reported.

The recent peak in influenza fatalities was during the 2020-2021 flu season.

The U.S. CDC says these data presented are preliminary and may change as more data are received and processed.

The CDC recommends annual vaccination for most people over six months to mitigate influenza-related fatalities during the 2023-2024 flu season.

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. 

Most health experts believe that flu viruses are spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. Recent findings suggest that, on average, about 8% of the U.S. population gets sick from the flu each season.

As of August 11, 2023, various flu shots are offered at health clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.