The flu season is gaining momentum in the United States, with seven states reporting high levels of illnesses, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The states with very high flu activity include Louisiana, and those with high activity are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, and South Carolina.
Additionally, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have also experienced high flu activity, with health officials in Puerto Rico declaring an influenza epidemic earlier this month. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University, commented on the current situation, stating, “We’re off to the races.” Traditionally, the winter flu season peaks in December or January, but last year it started in October, and this year it is making an entrance in November.Â
Flu activity is on the rise in several other states, with moderate but increasing levels in New York City, Arkansas, California, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Alaska has been experiencing high flu activity for weeks, but it did not report data last week.Â
The tracking of flu during the season relies on reports of individuals with flu-like symptoms seeking medical attention, but not all cases are tested, leading to an incomplete picture. Other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, can complicate the analysis. According to Alicia Budd, who leads the CDC’s flu surveillance team, various indicators are showing “continued increases” in flu activity.Â
Different strains of flu viruses circulate each season, and the predominant strain this year typically results in fewer hospitalizations and deaths among the elderly, who are usually more severely affected by the flu. The CDC estimates that, so far this fall, there have been at least 780,000 flu illnesses, 8,000 hospitalizations, and 490 flu-related deaths, including one child.
While the effectiveness of the current flu vaccines is not yet clear, the shots are well-matched to the flu strains circulating. Flu vaccination rates have seen a decrease compared to last year, with approximately 35% of U.S. adults and 33% of children vaccinated against the flu.
These rates are higher than vaccination rates for other respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). About 14% of adults and 5% of children have received the currently recommended COVID-19 shot, and roughly 13.5% of adults aged 60 and older have received one of the available RSV shots introduced earlier this year.Â
As the flu season progresses, health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination to mitigate the impact of the virus, especially as it coincides with the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.Â
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New York Post, CDC data shows flu season is well underway, two months ahead of schedule, CDC data shows flu season is well underway, especially in these seven states (nypost.com)Â
