The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Friday that U.S. medical service providers are experiencing the highest number of flu cases since the 2009-2010 flu season. For the week ending February 1, 8% of all hospital emergency department visits were due to the flu, more than doubling the 3.2% recorded at the same time last year.
The CDC reported that “seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and continues to increase across the country” for the week ending February 1. So far this flu season, the CDC estimates that at least 24 million people have fallen ill, resulting in 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths.
Hospitals across the United States admitted 48,661 patients with influenza, and 2% of deaths were attributed to the flu, with many children affected. Children are particularly vulnerable, accounting for 10 influenza deaths during the week ending February 1, bringing the total of pediatric deaths for the current flu season to 57.
Dr. John Brownstein of Boston Children’s Hospital, speaking to ABC News, highlighted the unpredictability of flu seasons, especially given the sharp rise in cases among young children and in key regions like New York City.
The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older receive a flu vaccination to help control the outbreak, which typically occurs during the fall and winter. They also note that prescription flu antiviral drugs can treat flu illnesses and should be started as early as possible, particularly for those at higher risk of severe outcomes.
This flu outbreak is happening despite a continued decline in COVID-19 cases, which have decreased to 4.9% of positive tests, while two common strains of influenza account for 31.6% of positive tests. The H1N1 and H3N2 flu viruses had 4,264 and 113 reported cases, respectively, during the week ending February 1.
CDC data shows very high levels of flu outbreaks in several states, primarily in the South, Midwest, and Northeast, while western states generally reported moderate to minimal levels. States like Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida are experiencing very high levels of acute respiratory illness, which includes emergency room visits for influenza, COVID-19, respiratory viruses, and the common cold. Wisconsin is also ranked very high, with many other Midwestern states showing high levels of flu cases.
In the Northeast, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Hampshire are among the states with very high levels of flu activity. Maine is the only state east of the Mississippi River with a low level of flu cases, while all others are rated as high or very high. The CDC does not have data for Wyoming and Arkansas.