CDC Reports ‘High Severity’ of Flu Cases Across All Age Groups in the US

February 18, 2025 TruthUSA

As of February 8, thirty-three states are reporting ‘very high’ levels of influenza activity, while eight states are experiencing ‘high’ flu activity.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current flu season is the most severe in seven years for the United States.

“Based on the available data this week, this season has been classified as a high severity season overall and across all age groups (children, adults, older adults) for the first time since the 2017-2018 season,” the CDC noted in an update on February 14.

Furthermore, influenza levels “remain elevated and are at their highest or similar to the highest recorded throughout this season,” according to CDC metrics.

“The percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical labs and the rate of laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizations are surpassing any peak week observed since the 2015-2016 and 2010-2011 seasons, respectively,” the CDC reported.

A map released by the CDC indicates that as of February 8, 33 states are reporting “very high” influenza activity, while eight states are experiencing “high” flu activity.

When categorized by age groups, the “highest cumulative hospitalization rate per 100,000 population was among adults aged 65 years and older (241.1), followed by adults aged 50-64 years (92.0), children aged 0-4 years (66.4), adults aged 18-49 (33.2), and children aged 5-17 (23.4),” the agency stated.

To date, there have been 68 flu-related deaths among children during the 2024-2025 season, with 11 occurring in the week ending February 8, according to the CDC.

In total, approximately 29 million people in the United States have contracted influenza this season, resulting in 16,000 fatalities and 370,000 hospitalizations.

Health officials are advising that everyone aged six months and older receive an annual flu vaccination. Approximately 44 percent of adults received flu shots this winter, a figure consistent with last winter. However, vaccination coverage for children has dropped to about 45 percent this winter, compared to the usual rate of around 50 percent, according to CDC statistics.

The proportion of positive flu tests reached 31.6 percent for the week ending February 8, as reported by the CDC. The H3N2 and H1N1 strains were the most prevalent, accounting for around 97 percent of positive tests.

Health officials are closely monitoring a strain of bird flu known as Type A H5N1, which has recently impacted millions of chickens and other poultry. Nearly 70 individuals in the United States have been infected by this virus, the CDC stated.

A separate CDC report published on February 14 indicated that respiratory diseases remain at “high” levels mainly due to influenza, while COVID-19 is at “low” levels and RSV is on the decline.

Since May 2023, the CDC has not reported total COVID-19 cases and has been relying on data from emergency department visits, wastewater sampling, and death statistics to assess the severity of the virus across the United States.

A CDC graph indicates that weekly COVID-19 deaths have experienced a slight increase over the past few weeks, but are currently at or near historical lows, with 357 deaths reported for the week ending February 8.

To prevent the spread of seasonal viruses like the flu or the common cold, health officials recommend avoiding contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth, as germs can be transmitted this way. It is also advised to wash hands with soap and water, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and maintain distance from individuals who are sick.

Symptoms of the flu can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, and fatigue, which may last anywhere from a few days to two weeks, according to officials.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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