HealthDay News — U.S. influenza activity during the 2013-2014 season has remained low through mid-October, accounting for 1.1% of outpatient visits through Oct. 12, according to the CDC.
However, public health officials are warning flu activity is expected to increase in the coming weeks and are urging those who have not already gotten a flu shot to do so know.
“Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, missed work due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths,” the CDC said in a statement.
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WHO and the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) reported testing 3,534 potential flu specimens the week of Oct. 6-12, of which 4.7% were positive. The percent of positive respiratory specimens was higher in the Southeast than in the rest of the country, researchers found.
In terms of geography, Puerto Rico reported regional influenza activity, whereas three states — Alabama, South Carolina and Texas — reported local influenza activity. Among the remaining states, 24 reported sporadic and 22 states reported no activity. Nevada did not report during this time period.
