Flu Season's Record-Breaking Activity Continues, Despite CDC's Prediction
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that flu activity is likely far from peaking, despite a record-breaking season. This comes as a shock to many, given the alarming rise in hospitalizations and deaths.
During the week ending January 3, approximately 40,000 people were hospitalized with the flu, a 10% increase from the previous week's 36,600 hospitalizations. This equates to 12 flu hospitalizations for every 100,000 people in the US. The elderly are most at risk, but children are also experiencing high flu rates.
The CDC reports that at least 17 children have died from the flu this season, a number that has nearly doubled in the past week with eight new deaths. Massachusetts has seen a particularly high number of pediatric flu deaths, including two children under the age of 2 in Boston.
Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Boston's public health commissioner, stated, 'Flu cases are surging, and we're seeing an increase in serious cases among children, including the tragic deaths of two very young children.'
Despite the flu's typically mild nature, it can lead to severe complications and even death, especially in children under two. The CDC emphasizes the importance of vaccination, noting that it reduces the risk of flu and its complications. However, only 130 million doses have been distributed nationwide, covering less than 40% of the population.
The CDC estimates a staggering 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 deaths from flu this season. Flu activity is expected to persist for several more weeks, with over a dozen states reporting the highest levels of flu activity.
The agency's surveillance data revealed that flu-like activity in the US had reached its highest level on record, dating back about 30 years. While some indicators have fallen this week, the CDC warns that this doesn't necessarily mean the peak has been reached. The downtick could be due to holiday changes in healthcare-seeking behavior, and more increases may follow.
Influenza A(H3N2) viruses are the most commonly reported, and a new variant, subclade K, continues to drive the majority of US cases. Vaccination remains crucial, despite the limited coverage, as it reduces the risk of flu and its complications.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has updated the childhood vaccine schedule, recommending 'shared clinical decision-making' for flu vaccinations. However, many state health departments have diverged from these recommendations, favoring those from professional medical associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, which supports flu vaccination for all children aged 6 months and older.
