After a record week, hospitalizations and deaths from the flu outbreak in the United States continue to rise.
According to data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40,000 people were hospitalized with the flu in the week ending January 3, an increase of about 10% from the 36,600 hospitalizations the previous week. CDC data shows that about 12 people per 100,000 were hospitalized with the flu last week.
The elderly are most susceptible to flu hospitalizations, but children are also experiencing high infection rates. According to the CDC, at least 17 children have died from the flu this season—a number that has nearly doubled in the past week, with eight new deaths.
Four of the flu-related deaths among children this season have occurred in Massachusetts, including two children under the age of two in Boston.
“We are seeing a surge in flu cases in Boston, and we are seeing an increase in severe cases involving children, including the tragic deaths of two young children,” said Dr. Bisola Ogicutu, the city’s public health commissioner, in a statement.
"While the flu is usually mild, it can still lead to hospitalization and even death. Children under two years old are at higher risk. Parents should vaccinate children six months and older as soon as possible to reduce the risk of serious complications. If a child develops flu symptoms and shows signs of more serious illness such as difficulty breathing, decreased urination, persistent high fever, or extreme lethargy and difficulty waking up, parents should seek immediate medical attention."
According to estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 15 million people worldwide have fallen ill this flu season, 180,000 have been hospitalized, and 7,400 have died.
The CDC states that flu activity "remains high across the country" and is expected to continue for several weeks. Flu activity levels in more than a dozen states have reached the highest levels tracked by the agency.
Surveillance data released by the CDC last week showed that flu-like activity in the United States has reached the highest level since the agency began tracking it approximately 30 years ago.
This week, some indicators have declined, but the CDC states that this does not necessarily mean the peak of the epidemic has passed. Conversely, the decline "may be due to changes in how healthcare is accessed or reported during the holiday season," and further increases are likely in the coming weeks.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that vaccination "has been shown to reduce the risk of influenza and its potentially serious complications." However, only about 130 million doses of vaccine have been distributed nationwide this flu season, enough to cover less than 40% of the U.S. population.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services overhauled its childhood vaccination program, including an updated recommendation that flu vaccination decisions should be based on "collaborative clinical decision-making," meaning that those wanting a vaccine must consult with a healthcare provider.
Many state health departments have moved away from these updated recommendations and instead support the recommendations of specialized medical associations (such as the American Academy of Pediatrics), which continue to broadly advocate for flu vaccination for all individuals 6 months and older.
After a record week, hospitalizations and deaths from the flu outbreak in the United States continue to rise.
According to data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40,000 people were hospitalized with the flu in the week ending January 3, an increase of about 10% from the 36,600 hospitalizations the previous week. CDC data shows that about 12 people per 100,000 were hospitalized with the flu last week.
The elderly are most susceptible to flu hospitalizations, but children are also experiencing high infection rates. According to the CDC, at least 17 children have died from the flu this season—a number that has nearly doubled in the past week, with eight new deaths.
Four of the flu-related deaths among children this season have occurred in Massachusetts, including two children under the age of two in Boston.
We are seeing a surge in flu cases in Boston, and we are seeing an increase in severe cases involving children, including the tragic deaths of two young children,” said Dr. Bisola Ogicutu, the city’s public health commissioner, in a statement.
"While the flu is usually mild, it can still lead to hospitalization and even death. Children under two years old are at higher risk. Parents should vaccinate children six months and older as soon as possible to reduce the risk of serious complications. If a child develops flu symptoms and shows signs of more serious illness such as difficulty breathing, decreased urination, persistent high fever, or extreme lethargy and difficulty waking up, parents should seek immediate medical attention."
According to estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 15 million people worldwide have fallen ill this flu season, 180,000 have been hospitalized, and 7,400 have died.
The CDC states that flu activity "remains high across the country" and is expected to continue for several weeks. Flu activity levels in more than a dozen states have reached the highest levels tracked by the agency.
Surveillance data released by the CDC last week showed that flu-like activity in the United States has reached the highest level since the agency began tracking it approximately 30 years ago.
This week, some indicators have declined, but the CDC states that this does not necessarily mean the peak of the epidemic has passed. Conversely, the decline "may be due to changes in how healthcare is accessed or reported during the holiday season," and further increases are likely in the coming weeks.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that vaccination "has been shown to reduce the risk of influenza and its potentially serious complications." However, only about 130 million doses of vaccine have been distributed nationwide this flu season, enough to cover less than 40% of the U.S. population.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services overhauled its childhood vaccination program, including an updated recommendation that flu vaccination decisions should be based on "collaborative clinical decision-making," meaning that those wanting a vaccine must consult with a healthcare provider.
Many state health departments have moved away from these updated recommendations and instead support the recommendations of specialized medical associations (such as the American Academy of Pediatrics), which continue to broadly advocate for flu vaccination for all individuals 6 months and older.
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