The 2016-17 flu season appears to be tapering off, as flu activity continued to decline the week of April 9, according to the CDC's Friday FluView update.
During the week of April 9, the percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness fell below the national baseline of 2.2 percent for the first time since December 2016, and pneumonia and influenza mortality fell below the national baseline as well.
Additionally, the percentage of specimens testing positive for flu in clinical labs dropped off in the last week reported, from 15.46 percent to 12.58 percent. The season high saw 24.26 percent of specimens test positive for flu.
Though activity is declining, pediatric flu deaths are still being reported to the CDC. During the week of April 9, five flu-associated pediatric deaths were reported, bringing the season total so far to 77.