The current flu season is off to an unusually early and severe start, with flu-like outpatient visits reaching levels rarely seen this time of year. As of mid-December, about 4.1% of outpatient visits were for respiratory illness, making it the third-highest rate for this point in the season since 2010, according to CDC data.
The CDC estimates there have already been approximately 4.6 million flu cases nationwide, resulting in about 49,000 hospitalizations and 1,900 deaths. A mutated strain of influenza A (H3N2) is believed to be driving the increase. CDC data shows flu activity is tracking higher than most recent seasons, underscoring the severity of this year’s early surge.
Resource: How flu cases compare to past seasons