The U.S. is experiencing its most intense winter virus season in 15 years, with flu activity driving a sharp increase in doctor’s visits and hospitalizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 43 states are seeing high or very high flu activity, particularly in the South, Southwest, and western regions.
Emergency room visits for flu-related symptoms have risen nearly 30% in the past week. Schools in Texas and Tennessee have temporarily closed due to outbreaks. In Texas, the Godley Independent School District shut down for three days after 650 students and 60 staff members fell ill, mostly with flu and some cases of strep throat.
So far this season, the CDC estimates at least 24 million flu cases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths, including at least 57 children. The flu season typically peaks in February and can last into May.
The percentage of doctor’s office visits due to flu-like symptoms last week exceeded the peak of any flu season since the 2009-2010 swine flu pandemic. However, CDC data indicates COVID-19 is declining, and RSV cases are fading nationally.
Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, said her region has seen a surge in flu, along with RSV and COVID-19 infections in infants.
Health officials continue to urge vaccination, stating it is not too late to get a flu shot. About 44% of adults have received one this winter, similar to last year, but vaccination rates among children have dropped to 45%, down from the usual 50%. Officials have not yet released data on the effectiveness of this season’s flu vaccine.
The CDC reports that two strains of seasonal flu—Type A H1N1 and Type A H3N2—are responsible for most infections. A third strain, a bird flu known as Type A H5N1, has infected millions of animals but only 67 people in the U.S.
Doctors recommend frequent handwashing, avoiding face touching, disinfecting high-contact surfaces, and keeping a distance from those who are sick to prevent the spread of flu and other seasonal viruses.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.