Flu Season Sets Record Lows

The U.S. CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) reported good news regarding the 2020-2021 flu season.

On April 2, 2021, the CDC's Key Updates for Week #12, ending March 27, 2021, stated 'seasonal influenza activity in the USA remains lower than usual for this time of year. This year is lower than rates for any flu season since routine data collection began in 2005.'

As an example, there has been (1) influenza-associated pediatric fatality reported to CDC this season. This data compares with the last flu season when 198 influenza-associated pediatric fatalities were confirmed.

Previously, on March 29, 2021, the WHO's Influenza Update #390 says 'Globally, despite continued or even increased testing for influenza in some countries, influenza activity remained at lower levels than expected for this time of the year.

In the Northern Hemisphere's temperate zone, influenza activity remained below baseline, though sporadic detections of influenza A and B viruses continued to be reported in some countries.

In the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere, influenza activity was reported at an inter-seasonal level.

And in the Caribbean and Central American countries, no influenza detections were reported.

The WHO says, 'The current influenza surveillance data should be interpreted with 'caution' as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has influenced to varying extents health-seeking behaviors around the world.'

Both the CDC and the WHO are already planning for the 2021-2020 flu season. These organizations have instructed the expected viruses flu shot producers can expect to confront. The detailed information is published on this webpage.