Person holding a mask with autumn pumpkins and leaves - healthcare and hygiene concept

Seasonal flu activity is minimal in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) newest weekly update.

The CDC's Influenza Surveillance Report for the week ending Oct. 17 shows that just 1.2 percent of visits being made to healthcare providers are for influenza-like illness. According to CDC data, that rate of influenza-like illnesses is below the national baseline of 2.6 percent. Additionally, just 0.3 percent of respiratory specimens tested positive for the flu at clinical laboratories during the most recent week of tracking.

On a state-by-state scale, only Iowa is approaching what the CDC classifies as a "low" level of influenza-like illness activity. The other 49 states displayed a "minimal" level of flu activity for the week, the lowest level on the CDC's scale.

For comparison, Iowa, West Virginia and Puerto Rico were all experiencing a moderate level of influenza-like illness activity at this time last year.