Influenza is surging in New York and across the United States, claiming the lives of five children in the days before Christmas.
The test positivity rate increased by a whopping 12% in the week ending December 21, according to data released Friday. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — That means more than 12,000 people were hospitalized with the virus nationwide, compared to 9,000 the week before.
“It's been increasing at a pretty steady pace over the last few weeks. Yes, we are indeed in flu season.” Alicia Buddan epidemiologist in the CDC's Influenza Division.
This season, influenza has already claimed about 1,500 lives nationwide, including nine children. Five youth deaths were recorded between December 15th and December 21st.
An additional 3.1 million people are reported to have contracted the flu, and at least 37,000 people have been hospitalized, according to the CDC.
While no particular strain appears to be predominant at this point, Budd cautioned that it's too early in the season to know how effective the flu vaccine will ultimately be in fighting the virus. .
Cases are rising in every region of the country and in all age groups, but this week saw an especially explosive increase in infections in 13 states, including Tennessee, Oregon and Louisiana.
New York state announced that the influenza epidemic has expanded for the second consecutive week, recording an 86% jump compared to the previous week. State Department of Health data.
At least 16,043 people tested positive for the virus and 648 were hospitalized in the week to December 21.
Fifteen outbreaks were reported in hospitals and five more in nursing homes, bringing the state's total to 68 outbreaks in health care facilities this season.
In response to the recent increase in cases, the CDC announced Dec. 20 as the start date of the 2024-25 influenza season and urged everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated against the virus.
“The effectiveness of the influenza vaccine varies by season, but in seasons when the vaccine virus is similar to circulating viruses, vaccination reduces the risk of developing influenza by 40 percent and reduces the risk of influenza-related hospitalization. 60 percent increase,” federal officials said last week.
CDC experts pointed to a lull in vaccinations with 205 flu-related childhood deaths last year, the highest number ever for a traditional flu season.
Of the children who died last season who were old enough to receive a flu shot and whose immunization status was known, 80% were completely unvaccinated. According to CDC.
This year, child vaccination rates have fallen even further. As of December 7, only 41% of adults and children had received a flu shot.
These vaccination rates reflect the same number of adults last year, but represent a 3% decrease in the number of children vaccinated last year, according to the report. CDC data.
The CDC maintains a website to help you find where to get a flu shot. vaccine.gov.
