The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a preliminary estimate indicating that at least 1,300 people have died from the flu so far this season.
According to the latest analysis by the CDC, at least 1,300 have died from the flu in the US this season. Preliminary estimates reveal that there have been at least 2.6 million flu illnesses and 23,000 flu-related hospitalizations.
Experts have issued warnings that the US will experience an earlier flu season this year and that an early season could translate to a particularly severe season overall. As of the week ending December 7, flu spread significantly in all states, except Alaska.
Widespread flu activity was observed in 23 states, with Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Puerto Rico experiencing the highest level of flu activity.
The CDC said that flu activity is being caused mostly by influenza B or Victoria viruses, which is unusual for this time of year and that B strains tend to affect children particularly worse. Additionally, influenza A/H1N1 viruses are increasing in proportion relative to other flu viruses in some regions.
According to the CDC, flu symptoms include fever, chills, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. Children may more commonly experience vomiting and diarrhea.
Flu complications, such as pneumonia, can result in hospitalization or even death and can more likely occur in children younger than 5 years old, particularly those under 2. Other groups at high risk are adults 65 and older, pregnant women, residents of long-term care facilities and people with weakened immune systems, asthma, heart disease and diabetes.
While hand-washing, avoiding sick people and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth can help in flu prevention, the CDC argues that the most important step to stop seasonal flu is for people 6 months or older to get vaccinated.
