"It was a year where the influenza A H1N1 virus was the predominate virus, follo by the influenza type B viruses." The CDC arrived at this conclusion using data from 122 cities on deaths from flu or pneumonia among adults and flu-related deaths among children. "If we look at mortality and the rate of hospitalizations, it seems like this year is less severe compared to last year and more similar to the years prior to last year," said Dr. -- As the flu season winds down, experts say this has been the mildest season in years. Less severe strains of influenza and a good vaccine match for the strains that were circulating combined to create a milder season this year than last, according to the U.S. "The flu did not reach an epidemic threshold this year." Historically, she explained, in years where the influenza type A H3N2 subtype is the predominate virus, the season is more severe.

It appears that flu-related hospitalizations and deaths were significantly lower this year, Fry. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"This year was not one of those years," she said.