#14,599
It is a testament to the yearly impact of seasonal flu that 7 weeks into this 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC estimates we've seen 4.6 million illnesses, nearly 40,000 hospitalizations, and 2100 deaths - and this isn't (yet) considered to be a particularly bad flu year.
Unusually, Influenza B continues to dominate, but A/H1N1 is showing signs of gaining traction in some parts of the country. It is possible, like we saw last year, that the dominant strain could switch in mid-season, and that could have major impact on the severity and longevity of this season.Some excerpts from this week's (Epi Week 51) FluView Report.
The number of states reporting high ILI (influenza-like-illness) has increased to 28 (up from 21 last week), and while Florida is shown in white (insufficient data) in the map (below), I'm hearing anecdotal reports of flu from some local healthcare workers.
The percentage of ILI office visits last week - at 5.1% - already exceeds the peak from the 2015-2016 and 2018-2-019 flu season, and is approaching the peak seen in 2014 2015.
Three more pediatric flu-related deaths were reported in this week's FluView report, bringing the total to 22. Sixteen of those are attributed to Influenza B.
The CDC offers up the following Key Points for Epi Week 51.
Key Points
- The 2019-2020 season is underway; all regions of the country are seeing elevated levels of flu-like illness.
- Activity is being caused mostly by influenza B/Victoria viruses, which is unusual for this time of year. A(H1N1) viruses are the next most common and are increasing in proportion relative to other influenza viruses in some regions.
- CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 4.6 million flu illnesses, 39,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths from flu.
- It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Flu vaccination is always the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications.
- Antiviral medications are an important adjunct to flu vaccine in the control of influenza. Almost all (>99%) of the influenza viruses tested this season are susceptible to the four FDA-approved influenza antiviral medications recommended for use in the U.S. this season.
Given the amount of holiday travel and socializing, we often see a surge in influenza reports following the Christmas, and when kids return to school in January. Between incubation times, and delays in reporting, we probably won't get a good feel for the impact holidays for a couple of more weeks.
As always, it isn't too late to get a flu shot, since there could be a couple of more months of flu still ahead.Now is also the time to rigorously practice good flu hygiene. Stay home if you are sick, avoid crowds, wash your hands frequently, and cover your coughs and sneezes.
If you do get sick, call your doctor. Early treatment with antivirals can shorten your illness, and for some patients, can be life saving.
