Montgomery, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Public Health is currently investigating the deaths of two children that may be linked to influenza, raising concerns as flu season progresses. The investigation highlights the challenges in tracking flu-related illnesses and fatalities in the state, where reporting is not mandated by law.
Dr. Wes Stubblefield, district health officer, explained that obtaining a clear picture of the flu’s impact this season is complicated. The true extent of the viral outbreak will not be fully understood until federal data is compiled later this year. Nonetheless, state health officials can infer the prevalence of flu-like symptoms from emergency department visits and overall patient diagnoses.
“Both cases are under active investigation, and we aim to establish any correlation between the influenza virus and the fatalities,” Stubblefield stated. He emphasized the importance of ongoing investigations as health authorities seek to understand the disease’s implications.
The department’s tracking website, updated weekly, indicated that as of Saturday, 7.54% of emergency visits were due to respiratory symptoms. This marks a decline from the previous week’s figure of 10.76%. Among those cases, the flu accounted for the majority of positive diagnoses, followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19.
As of Wednesday, approximately 763,600 residents in Alabama have received flu vaccinations for the current season, a number that is more than double the rates reported just a month prior. However, this year’s total is still about 9,000 doses short compared to last season. Stubblefield expressed cautious optimism about the vaccination numbers, noting their significance as health officials work to combat the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitors flu cases nationwide more extensively than state-level tracking, and as of late December, Alabama reported at least 17 flu-related deaths, according to CDC data.
Dr. Stubblefield pointed out that various viral strains circulate during flu season, with recent reports indicating that all identified cases in Alabama consist solely of the A strain, which includes multiple subtypes. “We encourage individuals seeking the flu vaccine to understand that it targets multiple strains, as it’s common for different types to be present across the United States. It is indeed possible to contract the flu more than once in a season,” he said.
Public health officials continue to urge vaccination as a critical measure to reduce the risk of severe illness and fatalities associated with seasonal influenza.