Tennessee Leads U.S. in Flu Activity, Ranked at Highest Level by CDC

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee has taken the lead as the only state in the nation reporting the highest level of flu activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC’s flu surveillance system designated Week 2 ending Jan. 13 with this alarming ranking. The CDC categorizes flu activity into six levels: Insufficient Data, Minimal, Low, Moderate, High, and Very High. Tennessee stands alone in the ‘very high’ level, specifically in the top category within this level. States just below Tennessee, in the second to highest category, include South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Week 2 ending Jan. 13 saw seven influenza-associated pediatric deaths, bringing the total for the 2023-2024 season to 47 pediatric deaths, with two reported in Tennessee.

The CDC’s estimates reveal that this flu season has resulted in at least 16 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 11,000 deaths. The most affected groups in terms of hospitalizations are adults aged 65 and over, followed by adults aged 50-64 years and children aged 0-4 years.

This concerning data underscores the severity of the flu season and the importance of preventive measures and vaccination.