NEW YORK (NEWSnet/AP) — The U.S. influenza season appears to have concluded. It was lengthy, but not unusually severe.

Last week, for the third straight week, medical visits for flu-like illnesses dipped below the threshold for what's counted as an active flu season, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

Other indicators, such as hospitalization and patient testing, also show low, declining activity. No state is reporting a high incidence of flu.

Since the beginning of October, there have been at least 34 million illnesses, 380,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths from flu, according to CDC.  The agency said 148 children have died of flu.

CDC officials called that a "moderate" flu season, an assessment shared by other experts.

For much of the season, most illnesses were attributed to a milder flu strain, and one that officials say was well-matched to the seasonal flu vaccine. Preliminary data presented in February suggested vaccines were around 40% effective in preventing adults from getting sick enough from the flu that they had to go to a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital.

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