CDC: Influenza up in Texas, New York City and new Jersey

ATLANTA, April 4 (UPI) -- For the week ending March 29, New York City reported high influenza activity, while New Jersey and Texas reported moderate flu activity, federal health officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's weekly flu report said of the 5,206 specimens tested and reported by U.S. World Health Organization and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System collaborating laboratories, 12.5 percent were positive for influenza -- up from the 4,977 specimens tested the previous week when 11.5 percent were positive for influenza.

Most of the increase in influenza was from influenza B, also known as the "spring flu," because it usually occurs after the main flu strain of the year has waned.

Connecticut, Delaware and upstate New York reported low influenza-like activity, while four states experienced minimal influenza-like illness activity. [CDC]