While millions are putting away winter coats, the flu virus is still making rounds, with staggering numbers like 45 million estimated illnesses last season and thousands of current hospitalizations revealing this isn't just a seasonal nuisance.
Key Takeaways
- As of May 25, 2024, CDC estimates 45 million flu illnesses occurred during the 2023-2024 season.
- Week 20 (May 18, 2024) reported 16,000 influenza outpatient visits in the U.S.
- Cumulative 2023-24 season saw 27,000 lab-confirmed cases in California alone.
- For 2023–24 season, CDC estimates 470,000 flu hospitalizations nationwide.
- Week 20 cumulative pediatric hospitalizations: 4,500.
- California flu hospitalizations peaked at 1,200 in week 12.
- CDC estimates 27,000 flu deaths for 2023-2024 season.
- 142 pediatric flu deaths reported by week 20.
- California 450 flu-associated deaths 2023-24.
- National flu vaccination coverage reached 49.3% by May 2024.
- Children 6m-17y vaccination rate: 52.9% for 2023-24.
- Adults 18-64 vaccinated at 41.2% nationally.
- 95% of flu viruses tested were influenza A.
- Week 20: 85% of subtyped flu A was H3N2.
- National respiratory specimen submission rate 25% positive for flu.
The flu season caused millions of illnesses, leading to many hospitalizations and deaths.
Case Numbers and Incidence
- As of May 25, 2024, CDC estimates 45 million flu illnesses occurred during the 2023-2024 season.
- Week 20 (May 18, 2024) reported 16,000 influenza outpatient visits in the U.S.
- Cumulative 2023-24 season saw 27,000 lab-confirmed cases in California alone.
- New York State reported 5,200 influenza cases in week 19 of 2024.
- WHO FluNet data shows 150,000 global influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 detections in 2024 Q1.
- Texas flu dashboard indicates 18,500 confirmed cases as of May 2024.
- Florida reported over 12,000 flu cases cumulatively in 2023-24 season.
- Illinois CDC logged 8,900 influenza detections through week 20.
- Global influenza positives reached 15% in Southern Hemisphere week 18.
- Pennsylvania had 4,500 flu cases reported in April 2024.
- CDC estimates 24 million symptomatic illnesses in children under 18 for 2023-24.
- Ohio flu surveillance week 19: 2,800 positive tests.
- UK reported 1,200 lab-confirmed flu cases week ending May 25.
- Australia week 21: 25,000 notifications of influenza.
- Michigan cumulative 2023-24: 15,200 cases.
- Week 15 U.S. outpatient ILI at 8.1% nationally.
- Canada flu week 20: 450 detections.
- Georgia state 9,500 flu cases YTD May 2024.
- ECDC Europe week 20: 5% influenza positivity rate.
- Washington state 7,800 cases 2023-24.
- Cumulative U.S. pediatric flu cases estimated at 10 million.
- Minnesota week 20: 1,200 positives.
- Brazil southern winter flu cases exceeded 200,000.
- Week 18 U.S. 12 states with high ILI activity.
- Virginia 6,200 flu cases cumulative.
- WHO Region of Americas 45,000 detections Q1 2024.
- Colorado 4,100 cases through May.
- Week 21 global flu activity declining to 10% positivity.
- Massachusetts 5,500 positives 2023-24.
- Nevada flu cases 3,200 YTD.
Case Numbers and Incidence Interpretation
While the flu's global tour this season racked up a staggering guest list, from the 45 million unfortunate hosts in the U.S. to packed venues like Brazil and Australia, the fact that it's finally winding down its act is a much-needed headline.
Hospitalization Data
- For 2023–24 season, CDC estimates 470,000 flu hospitalizations nationwide.
- Week 20 cumulative pediatric hospitalizations: 4,500.
- California flu hospitalizations peaked at 1,200 in week 12.
- New York 2,800 adult flu hospitalizations 2023-24.
- Texas reported 9,500 flu-related hospital admissions YTD.
- Florida cumulative 6,200 hospitalizations.
- Illinois 4,100 flu hospitalizations week 1-20.
- UK NHS flu admissions averaged 500/week in April.
- Australia 2024 flu season hospitalizations: 35,000.
- Michigan 3,900 hospitalizations cumulative.
- Week 15: 15,000 total U.S. flu hospitalizations YTD.
- Canada 1,200 ICU flu admissions 2023-24.
- Georgia 2,500 flu hosp YTD.
- Europe ECDC: 12,000 severe acute respiratory hospitalizations.
- Washington state 2,100 flu hospitalizations.
- Ohio 3,200 pediatric and adult hosp.
- Pennsylvania 2,800 flu hospital stays.
- Minnesota 1,800 hospitalizations through week 20.
- Brazil 15,000 flu hospitalizations in 2024.
- Week 18 U.S. hospitalization rate 22.5 per 100,000.
- Virginia 1,900 flu hosp cumulative.
- Colorado 1,500 hospitalizations YTD.
- Massachusetts 2,200 flu admissions.
- Nevada 1,100 hospital cases.
- CDC FluSurv-NET: 18 states reported 25,000 hosp.
Hospitalization Data Interpretation
This flu season seems to be conducting a global tour, collecting a staggering number of hospital admissions as souvenirs from almost every continent, proving yet again that this virus doesn't need a passport to be a prolific and unwelcome traveler.
Mortality Statistics
- CDC estimates 27,000 flu deaths for 2023-2024 season.
- 142 pediatric flu deaths reported by week 20.
- California 450 flu-associated deaths 2023-24.
- New York 210 influenza deaths cumulative.
- Texas 620 flu deaths YTD May 2024.
- Florida 380 deaths from flu.
- Illinois 290 flu mortality cases.
- UK 1,500 excess deaths linked to flu April-May.
- Australia 2024 flu deaths: 450.
- Michigan 220 flu deaths.
- Canada 180 flu-related deaths.
- Georgia 150 influenza deaths.
- Europe 2,800 flu deaths week 20 estimate.
- Washington 140 deaths cumulative.
- Ohio 260 flu fatalities.
- Pennsylvania 190 deaths.
- Minnesota 110 flu deaths YTD.
- Brazil 900 influenza deaths 2024.
- Week 15: 24 pediatric deaths cumulative.
- Virginia 120 flu deaths.
- Colorado 95 deaths.
- Massachusetts 160 influenza deaths.
- Nevada 70 flu-associated deaths.
- 65% of flu deaths in adults over 65.
Mortality Statistics Interpretation
The sobering statistic of 27,000 flu deaths nationally underscores that this familiar virus remains a serious and wickedly efficient foe, particularly for the most vulnerable among us.
Surveillance and Testing
- 95% of flu viruses tested were influenza A.
- Week 20: 85% of subtyped flu A was H3N2.
- National respiratory specimen submission rate 25% positive for flu.
- California 12,000 specimens tested, 28% positive.
- New York 4,500 tests, 15% influenza positive.
- Texas 9,200 specimens, 22% flu detection.
- WHO GISRS network tested 500,000 samples globally Q1.
- Florida 7,800 tests conducted YTD.
- ILI sentinel providers tested 2% positivity early season.
- UK sentinel scheme 18% positivity week 20.
- Australia 50,000 notifications with 40% lab-confirmed.
- 72% of viruses antigenically matched vaccine.
- H1N1pdm09 10% of circulating strains.
- RSV co-detection in 15% of flu positives.
- Europe FluNEWS Europe 8% positivity.
- Genomic sequencing of 2,000 U.S. flu viruses.
- Outpatient ILI surveillance from 3,000 providers.
- Canada 20% test positivity week 20.
- 35 states reported widespread flu activity peak.
- Antiviral resistance <1% in tested strains.
- Pediatric flu testing 30% positive.
- Wastewater surveillance showed flu signals in 40% sites.
- Global FluNet 300,000 reports 2024.
Surveillance and Testing Interpretation
While influenza A, particularly the H3N2 strain, is firmly running the show this season, the fact that over a quarter of people getting tested are positive suggests this flu is not just an eager understudy but a determined lead actor commanding the national stage.
Vaccination and Prevention
- National flu vaccination coverage reached 49.3% by May 2024.
- Children 6m-17y vaccination rate: 52.9% for 2023-24.
- Adults 18-64 vaccinated at 41.2% nationally.
- Seniors 65+ flu shot uptake: 50.7%.
- California flu vax coverage 55% overall.
- New York vaccination rate 48% for eligible population.
- Texas 44% flu vaccination coverage.
- Florida HCW vaccination 45.2%.
- Pregnancy vaccination rate 35.1% U.S.
- School-aged children vax 54%.
- UK flu vaccine uptake 45% in at-risk groups.
- Australia 2024 flu vax doses administered: 12 million.
- Health care personnel vax rate 48.5%.
- Medicaid enrollees 42% vaccinated.
- Rural areas vaccination 47% vs urban 50%.
- H1N1 vaccine effectiveness 54% against hospitalization.
- Overall VE 40-60% for 2023-24 season.
- Canada flu vax coverage 38% adults.
- Employer-mandated vax increased to 60% in large firms.
- Black/African American vax rate 38.2%.
- Hispanic vaccination 42.5%.
- High-dose vaccine for seniors 32% uptake.
- Nasal spray vaccine use 5% of total doses.
- Minnesota vax coverage 52%.
- Live attenuated vaccine effectiveness 50%.
- CDC recommends annual vaccination for all ages 6 months+.
Vaccination and Prevention Interpretation
While these numbers show a nation taking a half-hearted, often inefficient swing at the flu, they ultimately reveal a sobering truth: we are collectively gambling with a preventable illness, and the house—or rather, the hospital—almost always wins.
Sources & References
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