DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Flu activity continues to climb across the United States, with new data showing record levels of flu-like illness and a sharp rise in hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC reports that about 8% of outpatient visits nationwide are now classified as flu-like illness. That is the highest level recorded since tracking began in 1997. Flu-like illness includes patients with fever along with a cough and/or sore throat.
Health officials say children and young adults are driving much of the increase. About 35% of outpatient visits for respiratory illness involved people under 24 years old. Children under age 5 accounted for roughly 20% of those visits.
Hospitalizations are also rising quickly. The CDC estimates at least 120,000 flu-related hospitalizations so far this season, a 48% increase from the previous week.
Nationwide, officials estimate at least 11 million flu illnesses and about 5,000 deaths this season, including at least nine pediatric deaths.
Most cases this season are linked to a new flu strain known as subclade K, a variant of the H3N2 influenza A virus. Health experts warn flu activity is expected to continue increasing in the coming weeks and say the peak of the season has likely not yet been reached.
Health officials continue to urge vaccinations, good hand hygiene, and staying home when sick to help slow the spread.
