Flu Map Shows States With Highest Levels As Cases Surge

New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Tennessee and South Carolina are among the states with the highest number of influenza-like illness (ILI) symptoms, a new map shows.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an updated map in its most recent Influenza Surveillance Report for the week ending on February 1.

Why It Matters

Seasonal influenza has continued to increase across the country, reaching unprecedented intensity and marking the most severe flu season in at least 15 years, according to the CDC, which reported on Friday that the percentage of doctor’s office visits due to flu-like symptoms exceeded peaks from any previous winter flu season since 2009-2010.

The flu’s impact has been felt nationwide, causing significant disruptions, including school closures. The Godley Independent School District in Texas, for instance, had to shut down for three days last week after 650 students and 60 staff members were absent because of the flu. Jeff Meador, a district spokesman, described it as the worst flu season he could remember.

What To Know

The states which have seen the most doctors visits in the week ending February 1 are New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Tennessee, South Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, as well as New York City.

These states and cities have all experienced “very high” ILI activity levels, followed by Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington.

States including Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada are among those in the next tier of “high.”

Meanwhile, the “moderate” category includes Utah, while the “low” tier includes Wyoming and West Virginia.

Montana, Alaska and Hawaii are among those in the “minimal” category.

It is important to note that the CDC’s map monitors visits to the doctor for ILI symptoms such as a fever, cough or sore throat and do not necessarily correlate to laboratory confirmed influenza cases as the map may capture visits for other respiratory viruses.

During the week ending on February 1, a total of 4,377 viruses were reported by public health laboratories.

What People Are Saying

Cleveland Clinic infectious disease specialist Dr. Donald Dumford told Nexstar: “I always like to reiterate that if you have the flu, stay home from work or school and isolate yourself from your family as much as possible until fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medications) and your symptoms are starting to improve.”

The CDC says on its website: “Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.”