650K die of flu-related respiratory diseases each year
Up to 650,000 deaths annually are associated with respiratory diseases from seasonal influenza, according to new estimates by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WHO and global health partners.
This marks an increase on the previous global estimate of 250,000-500,000, which dates from more than ten years ago and covered all influenza-related deaths, including cardiovascular disease or diabetes. The new figures of 290,000-650,000 deaths are based on more recent data from a larger, more diverse group of countries, including lower middle-income countries, and exclude deaths from non-respiratory diseases.