Where Have Influenza Viruses Gone?

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report ending May 1, 2021, says 'seasonal influenza activity in the USA remains lower than usual for this time of year.'

The CDC reported only one sample out of 11,512 tested positive for influenza by public health laboratories during Week #17.

Furthermore, the CDC confirmed the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network reported between October 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, fourteen US states reported 226 laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations for an overall cumulative hospitalization rate of 0.8 per 100,000 population.'

'This is lower than rates for any flu season since routine data collection began in 2005. Due to low case counts, only overall cumulative rates for the entire network are being reported this season.'

Another positive aspect of this week's CDC reported is 'no influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during Week #17. And just one influenza-associated pediatric death occurring during the 2020-2021 season has been reported to the CDC.

However, the CDC says health care-seeking behaviors have changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are accessing the health care system in alternative settings, which may or may not be captured all of the activity. Therefore, flu season activity levels should be interpreted with caution.