Flu surges across U.S. as doctor visits reach highest level since 1997
Flu cases are on the rise in the United States, with recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that over 5,000 people have succumbed to the illness this year. Additionally, doctor’s visits for flu-related symptoms have reached a record high level in decades.
According to the CDC’s latest estimates, there have been at least 11 million reported cases of flu as of December 27, along with approximately 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 fatalities. Tragically, there have been nine flu-related deaths among children, as reported by the CDC.
Furthermore, the CDC disclosed that 8.2% of outpatient visits across the country were attributed to flu-like illnesses, marking the highest level observed since 1997 based on CDC data. Currently, 48 jurisdictions are experiencing “high” or “very high” levels of flu activity, a significant increase from the 32 jurisdictions reported last week. Only four jurisdictions have reported low or minimal flu activity, while Nevada’s data remains inconclusive, as per the CDC.
A new strain of influenza A known as H3N2 is rapidly spreading and contributing to the surge in flu cases this year, as noted by experts in a report by CBS News. The CDC revealed that out of 994 influenza viruses tested positive for flu between December 20 and December 27, 971 were identified as influenza A. Subsequently, 91.2% of the subtyped specimens were confirmed to be H3N2, a strain notorious for causing severe flu seasons, particularly among seniors, due to its ability to evade the immune system.
Simultaneously, there has been a decline in flu vaccine uptake, with the CDC approximating that around 130 million doses of the flu vaccine have been administered this year. Recently, the CDC revised its recommended childhood vaccine schedule, suggesting that children not deemed high-risk should engage in “shared clinical decision-making” with their healthcare provider regarding flu vaccination. The American Academy of Pediatrics criticized these changes as “dangerous” and pledged to uphold their own vaccination recommendations.
“Implementing these alterations amidst ongoing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases showcases a lack of consideration for the existing confusion families are already grappling with,” remarked Dr. Ronald G. Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, in a statement.
