Flu season is officially gaining momentum after a slow start, with recent data indicating a significant uptick in cases and hospitalizations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), positive flu tests rose by 12% for the week ending December 21, and more than 12,000 individuals have been hospitalized due to the virus, up from nearly 9,000 the previous week.
Flu Season Trends
Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medical director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Health, noted, “We’re seeing increases in both inpatient hospitalizations and community-based metrics such as emergency room visits and test positivity.” He anticipates that these numbers will continue to rise as we fully enter the flu season. Typically, flu activity begins around Halloween and peaks in February; however, this year’s flu season started later than usual.
Regional Activity and Severity
In the Midwest, similar patterns are emerging. Dr. Sindhu Aderson, medical director for Northwestern Immediate Care in Chicago, reported a notable increase in flu cases alongside respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in recent weeks. The CDC has identified Louisiana and Oregon as states with particularly high flu activity during the week ending December 20, with elevated rates also observed across the South and West Coast.
So far this season, there have been approximately 3.1 million reported illnesses, 37,000 hospitalizations, and 1,500 deaths attributed to the flu. Comparatively, last season saw an estimated 40 million illnesses and 28,000 deaths. Although chronic conditions and age increase the risk of severe illness, individuals of all ages are susceptible to serious complications from the flu.
At Yale New Haven Hospital, flu cases are currently about half as high as they were at this time last year. Dr. Roberts mentioned that they have seen only a handful of severe cases requiring mechanical ventilation among otherwise healthy individuals.
Pediatric Impact
Tragically, five pediatric deaths were reported this week alone, bringing the total to nine children who have died from influenza this season. Dr. Sara Siddiqui, a pediatrician at NYU Langone Health in New York City, has observed a rise in flu cases among children. She noted that schools and daycares often serve as hotspots for viral transmission due to the nature of how influenza spreads through aerosol droplets.
The predominant strains contributing to this year’s flu activity include two variants of influenza A: H1N1 and H3N2. Both strains can lead to severe illness if contracted.
Vaccination Status
As of now, approximately 42% of adults have received their flu vaccine this year—similar to last year’s figures—but vaccination rates among children are lagging behind. Experts stress that getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect against severe illness from the flu. While it is too early to assess this year’s vaccine effectiveness definitively, past seasons have shown that flu vaccines typically range from 40% to 60% effective.
Historically, around 80% of pediatric deaths from influenza occur in unvaccinated children. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the flu shot was about 50% effective at preventing various levels of severe illness among children.
Conclusion
Dr. Roberts encourages anyone who has not yet received their flu shot to do so promptly: “I think the best time is now; the second best time is tomorrow.” With flu activity on the rise and unpredictable patterns ahead, vaccination remains a crucial tool in safeguarding public health during this challenging season.
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