Influenza Activity — United States, September 30–December 1, 2018

Influenza activity in the United States was low during October 2018, and, although it increased slowly during November, activity remains low across most of the country. During the week ending December 1, 2018, the percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was equal to the national baseline (Figure) and was at or slightly above the region-specific baseline in four of the 10 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regions (Regions 4 and 7–9). The majority of jurisdictions experienced minimal or low ILI activity since September 30; however, two experienced moderate ILI activity, and two experienced high ILI activity during the week ending December 1. The percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza remains below the epidemic threshold, and the rate of influenza-associated hospitalizations remains low. Five laboratory-confirmed, influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring since September 30 have been reported to CDC. During the week ending December 1, the majority of jurisdictions (40 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands) reported sporadic or local geographic spread of influenza activity, nine states reported regional activity, and one state reported widespread activity.