Very Few Influenza Detections Last Week

When comparing data from the past few influenza seasons, it appears the 2023-2024 flu season is starting slowly.

Globally, the World Health Organization's Influenza Update N° 454 confirmed influenza detections remained low. In the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere, indicators of influenza activity were reported at low levels or below the seasonal threshold in most reporting countries.

Within the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on September 22, 2023, that seasonal flu rates last week were low nationally, with 315 (0.8%) positive specimens reported.

Last week, 820 patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza were admitted to a hospital, an increased number since the previous report.

Separately, the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics mortality surveillance data published on September 21, 2023, confirmed 13 additional influenza-related deaths.

The FluView week #37 report confirmed two additional children died from flu-related illness. A total of 176 influenza-associated pediatric fatalities were reported during the 2022-2023 flu season. 

The previous high was during the 2019-2022 flu season when 199 children died from influenza infections.

From a local perspective, the Walgreens Flu Index market-specific information indicates the top cities for influenza were led by the following:

1. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
2. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
3. Columbus-Tupelo-West Point-Houston, Miss.
4. Corpus Christi, Texas
5. Puerto Rico

The CDC's new Director, Mandy K. Cohen, MD, MPH, recently posted a video on Instagram encouraging people to speak with a healthcare provider about flu shot options and when to be protected during the new flu season.

As of late September 2023, most pharmacies offer influenza vaccination appointments and walk-in services.