Assessment of State-Level Influenza Season Severity - Minnesota and Utah, 2017–18 Influenza Season

The US 2017-18 influenza season was a high-severity season, with the highest number of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness since the 2009-10 pandemic and the highest rate of influenza-associated hospitalizations since surveillance expanded to include adult hospitalizations during the 2005-06 season. The severe season was characterized by reports of strained emergency departments and hospitals and spot shortages of influenza antiviral medications. Influenza activity can vary widely across geographic regions, and local severity assessments might better guide public health actions and health care needs and support the development of tailored communication messages to prevent influenza morbidity and mortality. CDC assesses influenza season severity at the national level, but the applicability of this approach at state or local levels has not been tested. The national severity assessment framework was successfully adapted for use in Minnesota and Utah. Utah is piloting the report of the weekly severity assessments for the 2018-19 season