The winter virus season in the United States is already underway and, on one metric, is the most severe in fifteen years.
The proportion of doctor visits caused by flu-like symptoms is one measure of flu activity. According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, that figure last week was unquestionably greater than the highest of any winter flu season since 2009-2010.
Of course, flu can be confused with other viral diseases. However, CDC modeling estimates and hospital data suggest that COVID-19 is declining.The information that is now available indicates that RSV, another respiratory disease, has been declining.
In several states, schools have been forced to close due to the flu. Following the absence of 60 employees and 650 pupils on Tuesday, the 3,200-student Godley Independent School District, located close to Fort Worth, Texas, closed for three days last week.
District spokesman Jeff Meador described it as the worst flu season he had ever experienced.
According to CDC estimates, at least 24 million flu cases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 fatalities—including at least 57 in children—have occurred so far this season. The flu season typically peaks in February.
Last week, flu activity was reported to be high or very high in 43 states. The southern, southwestern, and western states had the worst flu.
The CDC refused to allow an Associated Press reporter to discuss the uptick with an agency flu expert. In addition to ordering a temporary halt to communications with health agencies, the Trump administration has persisted in turning down requests for interviews that were previously routinely approved.
Everyone six months of age and older should have an annual flu shot, according to U.S. health officials.
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Similar to last winter, 44% of people received flu vaccines this season. However, this winter’s coverage of youngsters is much lower, at roughly 45%. Based on data from the CDC, it is typically around 50 percent.
As of late January, over 23% of American adults had received all recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to roughly 20% at the same time last year. Children’s COVID-19 vaccination rates were roughly the same, at 12%.
The effectiveness of this season’s flu vaccine has not yet been estimated by the authorities.
Type A H1N1 and Type A H3N2 are the two strains of seasonal flu that are causing the majority of infections, according to patient test findings. Health experts are keeping a careful eye on Type A H5N1, a third strain of bird flu that has sickened tens of millions of animals but is only known to have infected 67 humans in the United States.
Because germs can spread through the mouth, nose, and eyes, doctors advise not touching these areas to prevent seasonal infections. Additionally, you should minimize direct contact with ill persons, clean frequently touched surfaces, and wash your hands with soap and water.
— The Associated Press’ Mike Stobbe
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Science and Educational Media Group of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute provide support to the Associated Press Health and Science Department. All content is entirely the AP’s responsibility.
