Overall influenza activity increased during the week ending Nov. 18, according to the CDC's most recent update on flu activity for the 2017-18 flu season published Monday.
Here are five things to know.
1. The percentage of respiratory specimens that tested positive for influenza in clinical laboratories continued to rise the week ending Nov. 18. The most frequently identified virus type in positive specimens was influenza A.
2. An additional case of novel influenza A virus derived from pigs was reported in Iowa, bringing the total case count of variant influenza infections to 66 this year. Among the cases, six have resulted in hospitalizations, and all individuals recovered.
3. The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness for the week was 2 percent. This figure sits below the national baseline of 2.2 percent, but represents a 0.1 percent uptick from the week prior and the fourth consecutive week of a reported increase.
4. The CDC reported five new pediatric flu deaths Monday with four occurring during the 2017-18 flu season. One death was associated with the 2016-17 flu season, increasing that season's pediatric flu death total to 110. The total number of influenza-related pediatric deaths for the 2017-18 flu season is now at five.
5. Both Oklahoma and Louisiana reported widespread flu activity for the week. Guam and six states reported regional flu activity for the week; 20 states reported local flu activity; Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and 21 states reported sporadic flu activity; West Virginia reported no flu activity and Puerto Rico did not give the CDC a report on flu activity.
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