Influenza cases in the United States have reached 7.5 million so far this respiratory disease season, resulting in 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency noted that flu activity is continuing to rise as the country enters the peak of winter, which is typically the most intense period for respiratory viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19.
The CDC reported eight pediatric deaths this flu season, with five occurring during the week ending December 20. A pediatric death is defined by the CDC as involving someone under 18 years old.
Flu case numbers increased significantly throughout December. However, final figures for the month will not be available until after the New Year holiday due to reporting delays.
The CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive a flu vaccination. Approximately 130 million doses of the influenza vaccine have been distributed nationwide. Despite this wide availability, only about 25% of adults and 17% of children had received their vaccinations before December 1.
Brown University epidemiologist Jennifer Nuzzo highlighted the importance of vaccination: “Bottom line for people, if they haven’t gotten vaccinated against the flu, they should get vaccinated, particularly young kids and older adults,” Nuzzo told The Guardian.
Nuzzo also commented on the impact of simultaneous infections: “A lot of people are getting the flu at the same time, which is always tough.” She added, “That is actually tougher than a situation in which people get it and it’s spread out over a longer period. It could be a worse season, in part because more people are going to need more care than hospitals can easily deliver.”
A new variant known as subclade k has been spreading quickly across the country. So far this year, Influenza A has been identified as the dominant strain in diagnosed cases—accounting for 96.4%—while Influenza B made up 3.6%. Within Influenza A cases since September 28, H3N2 was most common at 84.8%, followed by H1N1 (swine flu) at 15.2%.
Although specific information on subclade k was not available from the CDC, flu activity was rated high or very high in 32 states and jurisdictions during the week ending December 20—a figure nearly double that of one week earlier as flu season reaches its peak.
