The 2020-21 flu season could be considered to be a mild one comparing this season's total number of attributed deaths to influenza compared to last season's.
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) concluded that the total of flu-related deaths totaled 18, compared to 125 reported all of last season.
During flu season, ADH produces a Weekly Influenza Report for clinicians. The report provides information on flu activity in the state. The report also compares influenza- like-illness (ILI) in Arkansas to activity in the U.S. ADH receives reports of only a fraction of flu cases since it only requires reports of hospitalizations, deaths, and outbreaks. Therefore, it is important to understand that the information in the weekly update is representative of the timing and location of activity, but it does not reflect the overall burden of disease. It is presumed that there are many more people actually affected than the report shows. Clinicians and policy makers may find the report helpful in terms of communicating to colleagues and patients about the current status of the flu season.
Report Key Points:
• For Week 14, Arkansas reported “Minimal” or 1 out of 13 for Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) activity level indicator determined by data reported to ILINet.
• Since Sept. 27, 2020, 2,050 positive influenza tests have been reported to the ADH online database by health care providers. Please note that reported cases reflect only a portion of the actual numbers of flu cases in the state.