What are the different categories?

Flu incidence levels may fluctuate in a community from week to week. In order to better help you understand where your area is in the overall seasonal cycle of influenza activity, local areas are also assigned a status level based on the overall influenza trend data. This status level tells you where your local area is in the overall seasonal cycle of influenza.

The three influenza status categories are as follows:

• Low - The FluSTAR system is reporting that confirmed flu and flu-like illnesses are at low levels in your community. Influenza activity is below 30% of peak levels from prior seasons.
• Moderate - The FluSTAR system is indicating an increased incidence of flu-like illness and confirmed flu tests in your local community. Influenza activity is between 30 and 60% of peak levels from prior seasons.
• High - The FluSTAR system has confirmed an outbreak of influenza in your area; flu is now widespread and having a significant impact on your community. This stage may last six to eight weeks. Influenza activity is greater than 60% of peak levels from prior seasons.