Flu activity is rising sharply across the United States, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The CDC estimates that there have been at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations, and 3,100 deaths from the flu so far this season.
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abcnews.go.comabc10.comThis increase marks a significant rise from the previous week's update, which reported 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations, and 1,900 deaths.
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abc10.comPublic health experts have indicated that many of this season's cases are linked to a new flu strain known as subclade K, a variant of the H3N2 virus, which has been circulating since the summer in other countries and was a major contributor to a spike in flu cases in Canada, Japan, and the UK.
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abcnews.go.comThe CDC's data indicates that approximately 92% of flu samples tested were H3N2, with nearly 90% of those belonging to subclade K.
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abcnews.go.comCurrently, at least 20 states are experiencing "very high" respiratory illness activity, including Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, and Georgia, while nine states, including California and Florida, are reporting "high" activity levels.
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abc10.comExperts anticipate that flu-like illnesses will continue to rise in the coming weeks, particularly following holiday gatherings and the onset of colder weather.Outpatient visits for respiratory illnesses have been predominantly among children and young adults, with about 27% of outpatient visits nationwide occurring in individuals under 24 years old, and children under five accounting for 15% of those visits.
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abcnews.go.comIn addition to influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also circulating widely, contributing to the overall respiratory illness activity this season.
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abcnews.go.comNew York health officials recently reported the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week, highlighting the severity of the current outbreak.
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abcnews.go.comDespite nearly 130 million doses of the flu vaccine being distributed this season, vaccination rates remain low, with only about 42% of adults and children having received the shot so far.This is a decrease compared to previous years, and health officials are urging everyone eligible to get vaccinated, emphasizing that it is not too late to do so.
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abcnews.go.comabc10.comThe CDC has noted that the mutations seen in the new variant have resulted in a mismatch with this season's flu vaccine composition.However, experts still believe that the vaccine can help reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
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abc10.comLast season, 288 children died from the flu, with nearly all being unvaccinated, underscoring the importance of vaccination in preventing severe outcomes.
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abcnews.go.comTo mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses, public health experts recommend practicing good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, and covering coughs or sneezes with tissues that are disposed of immediately.Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces is also advised to help reduce transmission rates.
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abcnews.go.comAs flu activity continues to rise, health officials remain vigilant, monitoring the situation closely and encouraging preventive measures to protect public health during this challenging season.
