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A less severe strain of the flu has been the most common cause of flu-related illnesses this season. But in the past two weeks, more diseases have been linked to a more serious strain, H3N2, reports the CDC.
(Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
- Thirty-two states report high levels of influenza activity, including 21 at the highest level.
- For the second week, the more serious strain of H3N2 virus caused most new cases.
- Sixty-four children have died of the flu or flu complications this season.
The influenza season usually peaks between December and February, but in early March, 21 states reported the highest level of influenza, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Eleven other states report high levels of influenza activity. Three states, Delaware, Maryland and Tennessee, reported minimum levels.
And for the second week in a row, a more severe strain of flu is making up most of the new cases, the CDC reported Friday..
(MORE: Influenza research, once deemed too dangerous, is about to resume)
During the week ending March 2nd, no less than 26.3 million people have had the flu this season, which began on October 1st. The season usually ends in May.
There were between 18,900 and 31,200 deaths. Eight children died during the week, bringing the total to 64 this season.
Nearly 347,000 people were hospitalized with the flu.
The highest possible level of influenza activity has been reported in Rhode Island, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Oregon and Alaska.
The flu remains prevalent – which means flu epidemics in at least half of the state's regions – in 48 states and Puerto Rico.
H1N1 flu viruses remain predominant this season, but in the week ending March 2, the H3N2 strain was reported in 62% of cases, the CDC said. The previous week, more than 54% new cases have been caused by H3N2.
This year's influenza vaccine is more effective against H1N1 than H3N2 – about 62% versus 44%.
The CDC said it expects that influenza activity remains high over the next month. Agency experts estimate that there is a 90% chance that the flu season will have peaked nationally, although this maximum may vary across the country.
(MORE: Strange pictures of the deadliest pandemic in history)
In the 2017-2018 season, more than 80,000 Americans have died from the flu and its complications, the highest death toll in at least 40 years. According to the CDC, the number of influenza-related deaths in recent years has ranged from 12,000 to 56,000.
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