The CDC has classified this flu season as one of high severity across all age groups, the first such classification since 2017-2018. Flu activity continues to hit new peaks, spreading across the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention鈥檚 weekly influenza reports.For the week ending on Feb. 8, the CDC classified 35 states and Washington, D.C., as having "very high" flu activity levels and nine states as having "high" activity levels. Only two states had "minimal" flu levels. Since the start of October, the CDC estimates there have been at least 29 million influenza illnesses, 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths during this flu cycle. Flu-related pediatric deaths have totaled 68, with 11 reported this week. Each week, the CDC monitors doctors' visits for flu-like illnesses and labels each state on a scale from 鈥渕inimal鈥� to 鈥渧ery high鈥� flu activity levels. The exception is Vermont, which the CDC reports having "inadequate data."More than two-thirds of states and Washington, D.C., reported having "very high" flu activity 鈥� the worst flu week so far. Flu season most often peaks in February, according to CDC data. Prescription flu antiviral drugs can treat the illness, which the CDC recommends starting early them as early as possible, especially for patients at higher risk for severe illness. Anyone aged six months and older can get an annual flu shot, which the CDC recommends. You can find vaccination locations near you at vaccines.gov. PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
WASHINGTON — The CDC has classified this flu season as one of high severity across all age groups, the first such classification since 2017-2018.
Flu activity continues to hit new peaks, spreading across the country, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention鈥檚 .
For the week ending on Feb. 8, the CDC classified 35 states and Washington, D.C., as having "very high" flu activity levels and nine states as having "high" activity levels. Only two states had "minimal" flu levels.
Since the start of October, the CDC estimates there have been at least 29 million influenza illnesses, 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths during this flu cycle. Flu-related pediatric deaths have totaled 68, with 11 reported this week.
Each week, the CDC monitors doctors' visits for flu-like illnesses and labels each state on a scale from 鈥渕inimal鈥� to 鈥渧ery high鈥� flu activity levels. The exception is Vermont, which the CDC reports having "inadequate data."
More than two-thirds of states and Washington, D.C., reported having "very high" flu activity 鈥� the worst flu week so far.
Flu season most often peaks in February, according to CDC data. Prescription flu antiviral drugs can treat the illness, which the CDC recommends starting early them as early as possible, especially for patients at higher risk for severe illness.
Anyone aged six months and older can get an annual flu shot, which the CDC recommends. You can find vaccination locations near you at vaccines.gov.
