Flu activity has decreased for the sixth consecutive week, but rates of influenza-like illness in the outpatient setting are still above the national baseline, according to an article on the Becker's Clinical Leadership and Infection Control website.
Since early March, influenza B infections have been outpacing influenza A. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agency reports 2,028 positive specimens for influenza B in the week ending March 31, compared to just 1,329 positive specimens for influenza A.
The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 2.4 percent for the week ending March 31, marking a 0.1 percent decline from the week prior.
This figure remains above the 2.2 percent national baseline. Additionally, 7 of 10 U.S. regions reported outpatient flu activity above region-specific baselines for the week.
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