The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported increased flu activity during the last week of December. Flu contributed to two pediatric deaths that week, but the total proportion was below the epidemic threshold, according to the CDC report. Twenty-five states across the country noted widespread activity, with 19 states describing regional activity. Puerto Rico, Arizona, Delaware and Vermont reported local flu activity, while Washington, D.C., Hawaii and Rhode Island stated they had sporadic activity. Of the 6,419 specimens tested and reported by the U.S. World Health Organization and the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System collaborating laboratories during the last full week of December, 26.7 percent (1,711) were positive for influenza. Report