Flu activity drops from a high of 5.2%, CDC reports

ATLANTA — The 2016/2017 influenza season has peaked. Influenza activity decreased slightly but remained elevated in the United States for the week ended Feb. 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday.



Influenza-like activity reported through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network  dropped from 5.2% patient visits attributed to influenza-like illness nationwide to 4.8% for the week. The national baseline is 2.2%.



The peak did not reach as high as it did in the 2014/2015 season, which crested at an ILI activity rate of 6%. However, that year the flu season extended 12 weeks following its peak. If that were to happen this year, it would mean significant flu activity well into May.



Last year, another season characaterized as "late," flu activity only remained above the national baseline of 2.2% through the end of March.



For the week, as many as 27 states were still reporting high influenza activity, the CDC noted, and New York City and another five states reported moderate activity.