The decline in U.S. influenza activity that started in February paused during the week ending March 11, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) stayed at 3.7% for a second consecutive week after declining for 3 weeks in a row. The peak for the season, 5.2%, came during the week ending Feb. 11, CDC data show. The national baseline is 2.2%.
The number of states at the highest ILI activity level on the CDC’s 1-10 scale decreased from 11 to 10 for the week ending March 11, but the number in the “high” range (8-10) increased from 14 to 18, the CDC’s Outpatient ILI Surveillance Network reported.
Five ILI-related pediatric deaths were reported to the CDC for the week – all of which occurred during previous weeks – bringing the total to 53 for the 2016-2017 season, the CDC said.
