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About 3 million people in America have fallen ill with it flu So far this season, new data shows.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the latest round of weekly flu data on Thursday. The agency revealed that so far this season, 29 lakh people have fallen ill with the virus, while even more 127 million doses of flu vaccine Have been distributed. The CDC says everyone six months of age and older should get an annual flu vaccine.
CDC data shows infections increased by 8.1% last week as Americans returned home after traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The agency also updated this Weekly Influenza Surveillance ReportIt shows which states may be most affected by the virus. According to the CDC website, the system monitors attacks of respiratory illnesses that come with fever and cough or sore throat.
According to the CDC, as of December 6, activity levels were “high” in several states, including Colorado, Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York.
The agency indicated that New York City alone saw “very high” levels of activity.
More states fall into the “moderate” category, including Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, Michigan, South Carolina and Texas. Others, including California, Missouri and Virginia, were rated “low.”
Meanwhile, some states are performing even better. Illinois, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Washington and Wyoming were all included in the “minimum” category.
In addition to the 2.9 million infections, the flu caused 30,000 hospitalizations and 1,200 deaths, the CDC said. This also includes two pediatric deaths reported last week, according to agency data.
This data comes As schools across the country prepare for a fast-spreading flu variant: H3N2 subtype “K” strain.
That said, the early flu season hit hard times around the world, including Japan, Canada and the UK UCHealthA health care system based in Colorado.
Experts warn that this stress is particularly unpleasant for some patients.
“You will usually develop [symptoms] About one to four days after being exposed, and it feels like being hit by a truck,” ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Tara Narula said last month. “This is different from a cold, so you’ll have fever, muscle aches, headache, chills, sore throat, cough, runny nose, blocked nose, maybe even vomiting and diarrhea.”
Dr. Michele Barron, UCHealth’s senior medical director for infection control and prevention, said in a statement Patients should not skip the flu vaccine this year, even if it is a “mismatch” for the “K” strain.
“It’s never too late. Now that we’re seeing an increase in flu cases, it’s a good time to get your vaccine because the numbers will continue to rise,” Barron said. “You will need an extra level of protection as more people get sick and more people travel or have visitors.”