Flu activity is rising across the United States this season, with New York City reporting some of the highest levels in the country, according to the latest data from the Baltimore Chronicle with reference to the CDC. Several states—including Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Texas—are experiencing “moderate” levels of respiratory illnesses, while all other states report low or very low activity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least 4.6 million Americans have fallen ill with the flu this season, leading to 49,000 hospitalizations and approximately 1,900 deaths so far.
Analysis of hundreds of flu samples submitted to the CDC shows that the majority of illnesses are caused by a new variant known as subclade K. Among just over 900 samples tested, roughly 90% were identified as A(H3N2), and nearly 90% of those underwent further genetic testing confirming subclade K. The CDC notes that mutations in this variant have caused a mismatch with the current flu vaccine. Nevertheless, health experts stress that vaccination still provides significant protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and medical contributor for ABC News, emphasized, “Even with this new variant and some mismatch with the vaccine, getting a flu shot is still absolutely worth it. The vaccine continues to offer strong protection against severe outcomes, which is crucial as flu activity increases.”
This week, two pediatric flu deaths were reported, bringing the total to three for the season. Last year, the U.S. recorded 288 flu-related child deaths, matching the record during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Mandatory reporting of pediatric flu deaths began in 2004. The CDC study revealed that roughly 90% of children who died from flu last season had not been vaccinated. Vaccination rates among children are currently about 40%, approximately 10 percentage points lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Approximately 140 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed nationally this season, up from 128 million last season. The CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive the annual flu shot, noting that it is not too late to be vaccinated.
Brownstein added, “This is the time of year when flu typically starts to take off, and we expect activity to continue increasing. As people gather indoors and travel more during the holidays, those conditions can accelerate spread.”
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