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CDC classifies 2024-25 high-severity flu season

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published February 24, 2025 at 6:25 AM EST
Just the sniffles? Could be the flu.
iStockphoto
Just the sniffles? Could be the flu.

Flu cases have reached their highest level nationwide in 15 years, and is now classified as a high-severity season overall and for all age groups -- the first since 2017-2018.

The CDC estimates that there have been at least 33 million illnesses, 430,000 hospitalizations, and 19,000 deaths from flu so far this season.

There have been at least 246 deaths from the flu in North Carolina since October, two of them children.

Overall, 43 states reported high or very high flu activity two weeks ago. The illness was most intense in the south, southwest, and western states.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston