Health

CDC’s FluView estimates initial increase in flu activity for 2022-2023 season

The agency expects the highest levels of activity in the Mid-South and Southeast regions of the United States.

Although flu activity is relatively low, most parts of the United States will see an early increase, according to the CDC’s first full FluView report for the 2022-2023 flu season.¹

The highest levels of activity were reported in the South Central and Southeast regions of the United States.¹

Increased activity may indicate an early start to the flu season, according to the CDC.

The CDC recommends that individuals over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated by early November, but vaccination should continue as long as the virus continues to circulate.²

Influenza activity typically peaks between December and February.

However, according to the CDC, the activity could continue until May.²

As of 22 October 2022, 6.2% of samples tested positive for influenza, up from 4.2% on 2 October 2022. The most common type was influenza A, with 98.4% of specimens reported and only 1.6% was influenza B.¹

In particular, H3N2 is the most prominent influenza A strain, with 74.6% of all influenza A strains reported as this strain. Additionally, 25.4% of the specimens were reported as (H1N1)pdm09.¹

The CDC also reports that approximately 3.3% of outpatients reported respiratory illness with flu-like symptoms, such as fever with cough and sore throat.

Officials said this was above the national baseline of 2.5%.¹

According to the CDC, levels of flu-like illness remained high for the entire year and the first time above baseline at this time of year since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.²

For critical illness, the CDC reported a cumulative hospitalization rate of 1.5 per 100,000 people. This is higher than the cumulative hospitalization rate during the same week of the previous year, which typically ranged from 0 to 0.3.¹

During the week of 28 October 2022, 2,332 people were hospitalized with influenza infections. Additionally, by 22 October 2022, his 9.2% of deaths were due to COVID-19 flu and pneumonia. This was above the week’s epidemic threshold of 5.9%.¹

Of the individuals, 949 had COVID-19 listed as the cause or underlying cause of death, and 15 listed as influenza.¹

Additionally, according to the CDC, there was only one influenza-related pediatric death in the week of October 28, 2022.¹

The CDC recommends that people 6 months and older get the flu vaccine. Because this is the best way not only to prevent infection, but also to prevent serious consequences for those who are still sick.

According to the CDC, prescription flu antivirals can be used to treat infections, but they should be started as early as possible for best results.¹

In total, at least 880,000 flu illnesses, 6,900 hospitalizations, and 360 deaths have been reported to the CDC so far this season.¹

reference

1. Weekly US Influenza Surveillance Report. CDC. Updated October 28, 2022. Accessed 4 November 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

2. CDC reports an early increase in seasonal influenza activity. news release. CDC. October 13, 2022. Accessed 4 November 2022.

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CDC’s FluView estimates initial increase in flu activity for 2022-2023 season