While flu activity decreased in the week of April 2, activity is still elevated in the U.S., with 18 states experiencing widespread flu activity, according to the CDC's Friday FluView update.
The percent of samples testing positive in clinical laboratories during the week of April 2 decreased from the week prior, falling to 15.16 percent from 18.7 percent. Influenza B remained the most prevalent strain (67.8 percent of positive tests) compared to influenza A (32.2 percent).
However, the season still isn't over. While the proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia remained below the epidemic threshold, the proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was above the national baseline. Additionally, four pediatric flu deaths for this season were reported during the week of April 2, bringing the total number of such deaths to 72.
Eighteen states still report widespread flu activity:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin