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
1As of May 25, 2024, CDC estimates 45 million flu illnesses occurred during the 2023-2024 season.
Verified2Week 20 (May 18, 2024) reported 16,000 influenza outpatient visits in the U.S.
Verified3Cumulative 2023-24 season saw 27,000 lab-confirmed cases in California alone.
Verified4New York State reported 5,200 influenza cases in week 19 of 2024.
Directional5WHO FluNet data shows 150,000 global influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 detections in 2024 Q1.
Single source6Texas flu dashboard indicates 18,500 confirmed cases as of May 2024.
Verified7Florida reported over 12,000 flu cases cumulatively in 2023-24 season.
Verified8Illinois CDC logged 8,900 influenza detections through week 20.
Verified9Global influenza positives reached 15% in Southern Hemisphere week 18.
Directional10Pennsylvania had 4,500 flu cases reported in April 2024.
Single source11CDC estimates 24 million symptomatic illnesses in children under 18 for 2023-24.
Verified12Ohio flu surveillance week 19: 2,800 positive tests.
Verified13UK reported 1,200 lab-confirmed flu cases week ending May 25.
Verified14Australia week 21: 25,000 notifications of influenza.
Directional15Michigan cumulative 2023-24: 15,200 cases.
Single source16Week 15 U.S. outpatient ILI at 8.1% nationally.
Verified17Canada flu week 20: 450 detections.
Verified18Georgia state 9,500 flu cases YTD May 2024.
Verified19ECDC Europe week 20: 5% influenza positivity rate.
Directional20Washington state 7,800 cases 2023-24.
Single source21Cumulative U.S. pediatric flu cases estimated at 10 million.
Verified22Minnesota week 20: 1,200 positives.
Verified23Brazil southern winter flu cases exceeded 200,000.
Verified24Week 18 U.S. 12 states with high ILI activity.
Directional25Virginia 6,200 flu cases cumulative.
Single source26WHO Region of Americas 45,000 detections Q1 2024.
Verified27Colorado 4,100 cases through May.
Verified28Week 21 global flu activity declining to 10% positivity.
Verified29Massachusetts 5,500 positives 2023-24.
Directional30Nevada flu cases 3,200 YTD.
Single sourceCase 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
1For 2023–24 season, CDC estimates 470,000 flu hospitalizations nationwide.
Verified2Week 20 cumulative pediatric hospitalizations: 4,500.
Verified3California flu hospitalizations peaked at 1,200 in week 12.
Verified4New York 2,800 adult flu hospitalizations 2023-24.
Directional5Texas reported 9,500 flu-related hospital admissions YTD.
Single source6Florida cumulative 6,200 hospitalizations.
Verified7Illinois 4,100 flu hospitalizations week 1-20.
Verified8UK NHS flu admissions averaged 500/week in April.
Verified9Australia 2024 flu season hospitalizations: 35,000.
Directional10Michigan 3,900 hospitalizations cumulative.
Single source11Week 15: 15,000 total U.S. flu hospitalizations YTD.
Verified12Canada 1,200 ICU flu admissions 2023-24.
Verified13Georgia 2,500 flu hosp YTD.
Verified14Europe ECDC: 12,000 severe acute respiratory hospitalizations.
Directional15Washington state 2,100 flu hospitalizations.
Single source16Ohio 3,200 pediatric and adult hosp.
Verified17Pennsylvania 2,800 flu hospital stays.
Verified18Minnesota 1,800 hospitalizations through week 20.
Verified19Brazil 15,000 flu hospitalizations in 2024.
Directional20Week 18 U.S. hospitalization rate 22.5 per 100,000.
Single source21Virginia 1,900 flu hosp cumulative.
Verified22Colorado 1,500 hospitalizations YTD.
Verified23Massachusetts 2,200 flu admissions.
Verified24Nevada 1,100 hospital cases.
Directional25CDC FluSurv-NET: 18 states reported 25,000 hosp.
Single sourceHospitalization 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
1CDC estimates 27,000 flu deaths for 2023-2024 season.
Verified2142 pediatric flu deaths reported by week 20.
Verified3California 450 flu-associated deaths 2023-24.
Verified4New York 210 influenza deaths cumulative.
Directional5Texas 620 flu deaths YTD May 2024.
Single source6Florida 380 deaths from flu.
Verified7Illinois 290 flu mortality cases.
Verified8UK 1,500 excess deaths linked to flu April-May.
Verified9Australia 2024 flu deaths: 450.
Directional10Michigan 220 flu deaths.
Single source11Canada 180 flu-related deaths.
Verified12Georgia 150 influenza deaths.
Verified13Europe 2,800 flu deaths week 20 estimate.
Verified14Washington 140 deaths cumulative.
Directional15Ohio 260 flu fatalities.
Single source16Pennsylvania 190 deaths.
Verified17Minnesota 110 flu deaths YTD.
Verified18Brazil 900 influenza deaths 2024.
Verified19Week 15: 24 pediatric deaths cumulative.
Directional20Virginia 120 flu deaths.
Single source21Colorado 95 deaths.
Verified22Massachusetts 160 influenza deaths.
Verified23Nevada 70 flu-associated deaths.
Verified2465% of flu deaths in adults over 65.
DirectionalMortality 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
195% of flu viruses tested were influenza A.
Verified2Week 20: 85% of subtyped flu A was H3N2.
Verified3National respiratory specimen submission rate 25% positive for flu.
Verified4California 12,000 specimens tested, 28% positive.
Directional5New York 4,500 tests, 15% influenza positive.
Single source6Texas 9,200 specimens, 22% flu detection.
Verified7WHO GISRS network tested 500,000 samples globally Q1.
Verified8Florida 7,800 tests conducted YTD.
Verified9ILI sentinel providers tested 2% positivity early season.
Directional10UK sentinel scheme 18% positivity week 20.
Single source11Australia 50,000 notifications with 40% lab-confirmed.
Verified1272% of viruses antigenically matched vaccine.
Verified13H1N1pdm09 10% of circulating strains.
Verified14RSV co-detection in 15% of flu positives.
Directional15Europe FluNEWS Europe 8% positivity.
Single source16Genomic sequencing of 2,000 U.S. flu viruses.
Verified17Outpatient ILI surveillance from 3,000 providers.
Verified18Canada 20% test positivity week 20.
Verified1935 states reported widespread flu activity peak.
Directional20Antiviral resistance <1% in tested strains.
Single source21Pediatric flu testing 30% positive.
Verified22Wastewater surveillance showed flu signals in 40% sites.
Verified23Global FluNet 300,000 reports 2024.
VerifiedSurveillance 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
1National flu vaccination coverage reached 49.3% by May 2024.
Verified2Children 6m-17y vaccination rate: 52.9% for 2023-24.
Verified3Adults 18-64 vaccinated at 41.2% nationally.
Verified4Seniors 65+ flu shot uptake: 50.7%.
Directional5California flu vax coverage 55% overall.
Single source6New York vaccination rate 48% for eligible population.
Verified7Texas 44% flu vaccination coverage.
Verified8Florida HCW vaccination 45.2%.
Verified9Pregnancy vaccination rate 35.1% U.S.
Directional10School-aged children vax 54%.
Single source11UK flu vaccine uptake 45% in at-risk groups.
Verified12Australia 2024 flu vax doses administered: 12 million.
Verified13Health care personnel vax rate 48.5%.
Verified14Medicaid enrollees 42% vaccinated.
Directional15Rural areas vaccination 47% vs urban 50%.
Single source16H1N1 vaccine effectiveness 54% against hospitalization.
Verified17Overall VE 40-60% for 2023-24 season.
Verified18Canada flu vax coverage 38% adults.
Verified19Employer-mandated vax increased to 60% in large firms.
Directional20Black/African American vax rate 38.2%.
Single source21Hispanic vaccination 42.5%.
Verified22High-dose vaccine for seniors 32% uptake.
Verified23Nasal spray vaccine use 5% of total doses.
Verified24Minnesota vax coverage 52%.
Directional25Live attenuated vaccine effectiveness 50%.
Single source26CDC recommends annual vaccination for all ages 6 months+.
VerifiedVaccination 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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