Flu activity now ‘high’ across Indiana, health department says

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - The Indiana Department of Health has raised the level of “Influenza-like Activity” statewide from moderate to high in its latest assessment of flu cases statewide.

The data used to make the assessment runs through the very beginning of 2022. It comes via health care providers who contribute to the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet).

The information is tallied on a weekly basis, with results published on a one-week delay. Officials note that the COVID-19 pandemic may affect healthcare seeking behavior, which in turn may impact Indiana’s sentinel ILI data.

Indiana flu activity was hiked to "high" at the turn of the year.(Indiana State Department of Health)

Five likely flu deaths have been reported this season so far, along with four outbreaks at long-term care facilities. Of the five deaths, three involved patients above age 65.

Nationwide, experts have noted a resurgence in the flu following last season’s low incidence. At this stage of flu season one year ago, Indiana activity was deemed “minimal.”

Right now, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia are all reporting “very high” flu activity.

Additional information on the state of the flu in Indiana is available here.