The latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates the U.S. flu season remains "elevated" and deaths continue to rise. There were 84 flu-related pediatric deaths recorded between Oct. 1 and Feb. 10 — up from 63 announced the prior week.
Reminder: On Thursday, federal health officials urged people to get a flu shot, which is estimated to be 36% effective overall and 59% effective for children younger than 9. They say roughly three-fourths of children who died did not receive a vaccination.
The numbers, for the week ending Feb. 10, released today:
- Influenza Type A remains dominant although the infection rate appears to be dropping from the prior week. Of Type A, the more deadly H3N2 strain was 78% and H1N1 was 18%.
- Influenza Type B appears to be infecting more people (36% of all infections) during the most recent week.
- The geographic spread of influenza in Puerto Rico and 48 states was reported as widespread; Oregon reported regional activity; the District of Columbia, Guam and Hawaii reported local activity; and the U.S. Virgin Islands reported no activity.
Go deeper: Why this flu season is particularly bad.