CDC: Influenza-related illnesses climb national baseline

ATLANTA In a typical season, the percentage of visits for influenza-like illnesses doesn’t crest the national baseline — an indicator that influenza is nearing a peak in the season — until late December with the spike peaking in mid-February.

Already this year, the number of influenza-related illnesses have climbed well above the national baseline.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, already 26 primarily Southern states are reporting widespread activity, and no state is reporting less than local influenza at this time. The vast majority of illnesses being tested are that of the novel H1N1 virus — accounting for 99% of all subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC.

The 2009/2010 influenza season doesn’t officially start tracking until Oct. 4, CDC noted.