CDC: Recent influenza activity exceeds average flu season rates

ATLANTA Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness continued to increase in the United States for the week ended Oct. 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday, and are higher than levels expected for this time of the year.

For patients between the ages of 5 and 49, hospitalization rates from April through October have already exceeded average flu season rates for that period.

A total of 37 states are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time and almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far are of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. Only Washington, D.C., Hawaii and Vermont reported less than regional influenza activity.