CDC: Flu hospitalization rate similar to 2014-15 season

Jan 26, 2018 - 03:12 PM

The flu hospitalization rate rose last week to 41.9 per 100,000 people, similar to the rate during the 2014-2015 season, when the same flu strain predominated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported today. The H3N2 strain is associated with more hospitalizations and deaths in older adults and young children. Nearly 12,000 flu hospitalizations and 37 flu-associated pediatric deaths have been reported since last October. Hospitalizations have been highest for adults aged 65 and older, followed by 50-64 year olds and children under 5. CDC recommends treating all hospitalized, severely ill and high-risk patients who have suspected or confirmed influenza with antiviral medications as soon as possible. The agency also continues to recommend flu vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, since flu viruses are likely to continue circulating for weeks.

Related News Articles

Headline
ASPR announces pandemic strategy to support bird flu threat to humans 
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response June 25 announced a flu pandemic preparedness and response strategy in response to the threat of…
Headline
FDA grants enforcement discretion for use of conjunctival swabs to test for bird flu in humans
The Food and Drug Administration last week granted enforcement discretion for the use of conjunctival swabs by laboratories as part of human testing for H5N1…
Headline
CDC recommends flu surveillance operations remain elevated for potential human H5N1 bird flu cases
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention May 21 announced recommendations that flu surveillance systems continue operating at enhanced levels during the…
Headline
FDA approves combo test for flu, COVID-19; alerts providers to medical device risks 
The Food and Drug Administration recently granted emergency use authorization for the first over-the-counter home antigen test to detect both flu and COVID-19…
Headline
NIH test-to-treat telehealth program goes national, covers both COVID-19 and flu 
The Home Test to Treat program now offers free testing, telehealth and treatment for both COVID-19 and flu to eligible adults nationwide, the National…
Headline
Report underscores importance of early flu vaccination for children
Flu-associated medical visits and hospitalizations per 100,000 population in 2022-23 were higher among children under age 5 than for older children, but were…