Boston, Massachusetts – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed today that the current flu season has reached a high severity level for all age groups, marking the first time since the 2017-18 season. With flu activity at its peak and both hospitalizations and deaths on the rise, the CDC has classified the situation as concerning.
Recent data shows that flu-related deaths have surpassed those caused by COVID-19 in the past two weeks, accounting for a notable percentage of overall fatalities. Outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms have remained elevated for 11 consecutive weeks, with 46 states reporting very high or high levels of flu activity, particularly affecting individuals aged 24 and younger.
The CDC has reported an additional 11 pediatric flu deaths, bringing the total number of child fatalities this season to 68. Most of these deaths were linked to the influenza A virus, with subtyped samples indicating strains such as 2009 H1N1 and H3N2. Seniors and adults aged 50 to 64 years old are among the most affected demographic groups.
In regions such as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, test positivity rates for the flu have reached alarming levels, with clinical labs reporting a rate of 31.6% last week. The dominance of influenza A in positive samples, especially strains like H1N1 and H3N2, underscores the severity of the current flu season.
To combat the flu’s spread, the CDC strongly recommends vaccination for individuals aged 6 months and older, emphasizing the importance of early treatment with antiviral flu medications, especially for those at higher risk of complications. While COVID-19 remains a concern, with wastewater levels still high, emergency department visits for the virus have declined, signaling a positive trend. Additionally, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) shows a downward trend in ED visits, offering a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing challenges posed by respiratory illnesses.