Outpatient visits for flu-like illness continue to rise as flu activity increases in most parts of the country, according to the CDC's Dec. 22 FluView report.
About 5.1% of outpatient visits were for flu-like illness in the week ending Dec. 16, down from 6.3% during the same week last season when flu cases peaked unseasonably early. Despite this decline, the current figure still exceeds the weekly percentages observed in 11 of the past 13 flu seasons.
In total, the CDC estimates there have been 5.3 million to 10 million flu cases nationwide this season.
Here's how current flu case figures compare to past seasons, based on data and estimates from the CDC.
Note: A total case estimate is not available for the 2020-21 season due to minimal flu activity amid the pandemic, the CDC said.
|
Season |
Percentage of outpatient visits for flu-like illness (in week 50 of virus season) |
|
|
2023-24 |
5.1 |
5.3-10 million (as of Dec. 16) |
|
2022-23* |
6.3 |
31 million |
|
2021-22* |
3.1 |
9.4 million |
|
2020-21 |
1.5 |
N/A |
|
2019-20 |
3.9 |
35 million |
|
2018-19 |
2.6 |
28 million |
|
2017-18 |
5.7 |
41 million |
|
2016-17 |
2.2 |
29 million |
|
2015-16 |
1.9 |
24 million |
|
2014-15 |
3.6 |
30 million |
|
2013-14 |
2.4 |
30 million |
|
2012-13 |
3.4 |
34 million |
|
2011-12 |
1.6 |
9.3 million |
|
2010-11 |
2.3 |
21 million |
*Estimates for these seasons are preliminary.
See how flu admissions compare to past seasons here and how flu deaths compare here.