Flu activity continues as hospitalizations and deaths rise in the US
Hospitalizations and deaths due to influenza are on the rise across the United States, following a record week of flu activity. About 40,000 individuals were hospitalized with the flu during the week ending January 3, according to data published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marking a 10% increase from the previous week’s 36,600 hospitalizations, reports BritPanorama.
In total, approximately 12 flu hospitalizations were reported for every 100,000 people in the country last week. Senior citizens are most frequently affected, though hospitalization rates among children remain concerningly high. The CDC has reported at least 17 pediatric deaths this season, with the number nearly doubling over the previous week due to eight new fatalities.
Among those pediatric deaths, four were recorded in Massachusetts, including two children under the age of two in Boston. “Flu cases are surging in Boston, and we are seeing an uptick in serious cases involving children, including the tragic deaths of two very young children,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the city’s commissioner of public health.
Dr. Ojikutu further emphasized the risks, stating, “While the flu is usually mild, it can cause hospitalization and death. Children under the age of two are at higher risk. Parents should get their children ages six months and older vaccinated as soon as possible to decrease the risk of severe complications.” Parents are advised to seek immediate medical attention if their child exhibits severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or high fever.
Overall, the CDC estimates there have been at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 deaths related to the flu this season. With flu activity described as remaining elevated across the country, the CDC anticipates flu levels will persist for several more weeks. More than a dozen states are currently reporting their flu activity levels at the highest categories tracked by the agency.
Although there has been a slight decrease in some influenza indicators recently, CDC officials caution that this may not indicate that the flu season has peaked. They suggest that these trends could be influenced by holiday-related changes in healthcare-seeking behavior.
This flu season has primarily been driven by the more prevalent Influenza A(H3N2) viruses, with genetic testing indicating that a new variant known as subclade K is significantly contributing to the high number of cases in the US. However, vaccination rates remain low, with only about 130 million doses administered nationwide, covering less than 40% of the population.
In response to the worsening flu season, the US Department of Health and Human Services recently updated its childhood vaccine schedule, recommending that flu vaccination decisions involve consultations with healthcare providers. Nevertheless, many state health departments are still advocating for broader flu vaccination for all individuals aged six months and older, aligned with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The ongoing flu situation underscores the importance of public health measures, particularly regarding vaccination and timely medical intervention. The situation continues to evolve, indicating a need for sustained vigilance as the flu season progresses.
