CDC: Flu incidence drops to 2.8%

ATLANTA — The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 2.8% for the week ended Feb. 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, a strong indicator that the 2012-2013 flu season is on its way out. Nevada, New Jersey and Vermont were still reporting high ILI activity; while 13 states and New York City reported moderate activity; 11 states reported low activity; and 23 states reported minimal activity.

CDC also reported that the cumulative rate of hospitalizations for the season came out to 34.2 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations per 100,000 population. Of reported hospitalizations, more than 50% were among adults 65 years and older. The heavy prevalence of hospitalizations among seniors may be linked to the low effectiveness of the flu vaccine in that population this year. According to the "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" published Friday, vaccine effectiveness this year was 9% for seniors.