CDC: Despite extra month of flu, this season still mild compared to past three

ATLANTA - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday noted that the 2015-2016 influenza season was lower in terms of influenza activity and peaked later as compared to the three previous seasons in the June 10 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 

 

Activity remained low from October 2015 until late December 2015 and peaked in mid-March 2016. According to the report, only two other seasons have peaked in March in the past 18 influenza seasons - 2011–12 and 2005–06. 

 

Nationally, the weekly percentage of outpatient visits for ILI to health care providers participating in the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance Network exceeded the national baseline level of 2.1% beginning the week ending Dec.  26, 2015 and remained at or above baseline for 17 consecutive weeks during the 2015–16 influenza season. 

 

The peak percentage of outpatient visits for ILI was 3.6% and occurred during the week ending March 12, 2016. During the 2001–02 through 2014–15 seasons, peak weekly percentages of outpatient visits for ILI ranged from 2.4% to 7.7% and remained at or above baseline levels for an average of 13 weeks.