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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that five states are currently experiencing "very high" flu activity. According to the CDC's data, there was a 14.8% increase in positive influenza tests as of the week ending December 13, alongside a 4.1% increase in visits to healthcare providers for respiratory illnesses.
The CDC uses the acute respiratory illness (ARI) metric to monitor flu activity, which includes a range of respiratory illnesses from the common cold to severe infections like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. This metric classifies emergency department visits into five levels: Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, and Very High.
WGAL reports that three pediatric deaths have been reported so far this flu season, with two occurring in the last reporting week. Last flu season saw 287 pediatric deaths, the highest since the 2009-2010 season.
The flu activity levels are determined by the CDC by measuring the proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses. The emergence of a new flu strain, the influenza A virus subclade K, has contributed to early surges in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan.
As the flu season progresses, health officials urge the public to take preventive measures, such as getting vaccinated and practicing good hygiene, to reduce the spread of the virus.
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