CDC: Influenza activity in US remains low

Influenza activity remained low across the United States for the week ending Oct. 14, according to the CDC's most recent update for the 2017-2018 flu season.

Here are five things to know.

1. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories remained low. The most frequently identified virus type in positive specimens was influenza A.

2. The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness for the week was 1.4 percent, which sits below the national baseline of 2.2 percent.

3. New York City; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico and all 50 states experienced minimal influenza-like illness activity for the week.

4. The CDC added one death to the pediatric influenza death count for the 2016-2017 flu season, bringing the total number of deaths to 108.

5. So far, health officials have not identified a pediatric influenza death in the 2017-2018 flu season. 

More articles on infection control: 
Do oral antibiotics reduce SSI risk after left-sided colorectal cancer surgery? 
Top 10 infection control stories, Oct. 16-20 
Discontinuing contact precautions for MRSA, VRE does not increase infection rates

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