CDC: Flu Season Lighter Than Normal

ATLANTA (AP) â€” The flu season hasn't been that bad this year. But that could change in the coming weeks. <br><br>Early figures show low to moderate flu rates nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control

Friday, January 26th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) â€” The flu season hasn't been that bad this year. But that could change in the coming weeks.

Early figures show low to moderate flu rates nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. The flu season runs from October to March.

Through Jan. 13, 2 percent to 3 percent of patient visits to a sample group of U.S. doctors were for flulike symptoms â€” fever higher than 100 degrees, along with a sore throat or unexplained cough.

Another indicator â€” the rate of respiratory specimens that were tested and confirmed as the flu â€” rose in mid-January to 15 percent. The rate is usually 19 percent to 35 percent at the flu season's January peak.

CDC epidemiologist Dr. Scott Harper said the low rates so far are comforting, ``but there isn't a way to predict it.''

``It could just be a later peak,'' he said.

The flu kills about 20,000 Americans in an average year.

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On the Net:

CDC flu vaccine information: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu-vac-supply