How Many People Die From the Flu Each Year?

The number of flu cases and deaths changes yearly, depending on the severity of the virus.

Throughout the flu season in the United States, spanning from October to May, the precise fatality count due to influenza remains elusive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximated that approximately 20,000 deaths were attributed to the flu during the 2019–2020 season.

It’s important to note that the flu is not mandatorily reported in most states, leading to estimates being formulated based on the frequency of lab-confirmed cases that result in hospitalizations associated with the flu. However, not all individuals with the flu seek medical attention, adding complexity to the estimation process.

The 2019–2020 flu season witnessed an estimated 35 million cases of flu-related illnesses, encompassing 16 million medical consultations and 380,000 hospitalizations. A significant shift occurred in 2020 due to the dominance of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a historic low in flu cases: The CDC documented 748 deaths attributed to the flu during the 2020–2021 flu season.

For further insight, delve into the average annual flu-related mortality figures, the key indicators employed by infectious disease experts to anticipate forthcoming flu seasons, and proactive measures for personal protection.

How Many People Die of the Flu Each Year on Average?

Based on a decade-long dataset amassed by the CDC spanning from 2010 to 2020, influenza was attributed to an annual range of approximately 12,000 to 52,000 fatalities. Within this period, the flu also instigated a spectrum of health implications, causing between nine million and 41 million illnesses and leading to hospitalizations numbering from 140,000 to 710,000. On a global scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) approximates that annual flu-related deaths hover within the range of 290,000 to 650,000.

Such substantial variability arises due to the nuanced nature of “the flu,” encompassing diverse strains of the virus circulating within communities. This intricate diversity was highlighted by Cassandra Pierre, MD, an accomplished infectious disease specialist at Boston Medical Center, who emphasized that significant genetic shifts can result in the emergence of entirely distinct viruses.

The evolution of flu viruses is a complex process, marked by gradual alterations as they propagate within human populations. Conversely, abrupt mutations can transpire when flu viruses leap from animal hosts to humans, a phenomenon exemplified by the emergence of the swine-originated H1N1 virus that triggered widespread human outbreaks.

The dynamic nature of flu strains perpetually alters the dominant variant, with some strains proving more virulent than others. As elucidated by Robert L. Murphy, MD, an esteemed professor of infectious diseases at Northwestern Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine, the severity of the flu can oscillate, sometimes characterized by the emergence of more aggressive strains that amplify the impact on human health.

What Information Helps Predict the Severity of Upcoming Flu Seasons?

The assessment of influenza severity by the CDC hinges upon a set of parameters known as intensity threshold (IT) values.

These IT values encompass:

• Rates of hospitalization linked to flu
• Percentages of outpatient visits involving flu-like symptoms
• Percentages of fatalities attributed to pneumonia or flu

The assimilation of data concerning these values is pivotal in shaping flu projections. Beyond the CDC, various researchers contribute data to facilitate proactive measures and preparedness.

These preparatory actions encompass a range of strategies, such as:

• Offering guidance for community-wide measures, including potential closures of organizations
• Strategically distributing and positioning healthcare resources and treatments
• Anticipating potential surges in hospitalizations
• Encouraging vaccination

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the limited incidence of flu cases may have rendered the United States less equipped in terms of immunity, as noted by James H. Conway, MD, a distinguished specialist in pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Global Health Institute.

The decline in both flu cases and vaccinations, coupled with the relaxation of COVID-19 preventive measures, may have led to a reduction in residual immunity from the preceding 2019–2020 flu season. Leveraging this insight, experts projected a notably severe flu season for 2022–2023.

The period spanning October 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023, witnessed CDC estimates ranging from 27 million to 54 million flu cases, potentially surpassing the figures recorded during the 2019–2020 flu season.

Vaccine Preparedness

The occurrence of influenza cases and related fatalities is influenced, in part, by the efficacy of researchers’ predictions regarding the constituents of the flu vaccine and the extent of vaccination coverage. As highlighted by Anjali Mahoney, MD, the Chief Medical Officer at Venice Family Clinic, these factors significantly shape the outcomes.

The global landscape contributes to the refinement of flu vaccines, exemplified by the insights gained from data originating in other countries. A notable instance occurred in 2021 when Australia, experiencing its winter during the United States summertime, evaded a typical flu season.

While this occurrence could have suggested a milder flu season in the United States, a challenge arose due to the scarcity of information about the predominant flu strain, hampering vaccine formulation efforts.

Dr. Conway elaborated on this aspect, stating, “Typically, the selection of strains for inclusion in the vaccine is influenced by the virus strains that circulated in the southern hemisphere during their summer.” He further noted that Australia’s lack of a flu season posed a predicament, as the absence of circulating strains impeded the decision-making process for the vaccine’s composition.

How Can You Protect Yourself From the Flu?

The most direct approach is to promptly secure a vaccination. The CDC unequivocally recommends that individuals aged 6 months and above avail themselves of an annual flu vaccine. This proactive step stands as the foremost and pivotal measure to safeguard oneself against the flu and its ensuing complications.

Dr. Conway emphasized the significance, stating, “The primary safeguard is attained through vaccination and maintaining vigilance against respiratory viruses.”

Certain segments of the population face a higher likelihood of encountering severe flu-related complications. This group encompasses:

• Individuals aged 65 and above
• Children below a certain age
• Individuals with chronic ailments such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease
• Pregnant individuals

For these at-risk individuals, receiving a flu vaccine is a resolute recommendation to avert the possibility of severe illness. When it comes to the high-dose flu vaccine catering to those with heart disease, there’s insufficient research to definitively establish its superiority over the standard option. Consulting a healthcare professional is prudent to determine the most suitable choice.

Interestingly, research has demonstrated that protective practices adopted against COVID-19 extend their benefits to guarding against the flu as well. These practices encompass:

• Steering clear of densely populated areas
• Adhering to rigorous hand hygiene
• Practicing social distancing
• Wearing masks

Dr. Conway pointed out that universal masking during the winter months can significantly contribute to curbing flu-related fatalities. He noted that such practices are already commonplace in certain regions around the world and could potentially serve as a substantial line of defense alongside major vaccinations.

Dr. Conway also stressed the importance of maintaining a conscientious approach, urging individuals to stay home from work and school when unwell. This conscientious measure helps in reducing the spread of infections.

A Quick Review

Determining the precise annual toll of flu-related fatalities remains elusive due to the variable nature of flu severity, which evolves year by year in tandem with the potency of the virus. For instance, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought about a reduction in flu cases and fatalities, owing to the adoption of practices like meticulous hand hygiene and mask-wearing. This exemplifies how external factors can influence the flu’s impact.

In the United States, experts rely on a combination of international data and historical patterns to gauge the potential severity of each flu season. Leveraging this information aids in formulating effective countermeasures, such as vaccines, which stand as a cornerstone in safeguarding against the flu.

For individuals seeking clarity or harboring concerns regarding the flu or its corresponding vaccine, seeking guidance from a healthcare professional is prudent. Such consultation offers a personalized approach to understanding the nuances of flu prevention and management.