Flu Season Hitting Early, May Be Bad, CDC Says

Although influenza is unpredictable, “the early nature of the cases as well as the specific strains we’re seeing suggest that this could be a bad flu year,” according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials speaking during a December 3, 2012, CDC telebriefing. CDC observed an uptick in reports of influenza-like illness in late November and early December; it usually does not reach such levels until after the New Year. It represents the earliest regular flu season since 2003-2004. Nationally, about 2.2% of outpatient visits to healthcare providers (e.g., physician offices, emergency departments) are currently for flu-like symptoms, but in five states—Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas—that figure exceeds 4%. CDC said that other states will likely reach such levels as the flu season continues.