0.2% of Deaths Last Week Were Influenza Related

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced seasonal flu activity continues to increase in most parts of the country, with the southeast and south-central areas of the country reporting the highest levels of activity.

As of December 8, 2023, outpatient respiratory illness is above baseline nationally for the fifth week and is at or above baseline in all 10 HHS Regions. 

Furthermore, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Mortality Surveillance data available on December 7, 2023, indicates that 0.2% of the deaths (48) that occurred during Week #48 were due to influenza.

Last week, in #47, there were 61 flu-related deaths and 2,373 pneumonia-related deaths.

Specifically, there were four influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported during Week #48, bringing the 2023-2024 season total to 12 pediatric deaths.

Last flu season, about 182 children died from influenza.

From a prevention perspective, the CDC recently confirmed that over 151 million flu shots had already been distributed in the U.S.

These influenza vaccines are generally available at clinics and pharmacies,