Flu Surge! CDC Declares ‘Very High’ Levels

Person in PPE holding syringe with liquid droplets.

(TheRedAlertNews.com) – The flu season has intensified, inundating hospitals with a surge of patients and pushing healthcare systems to their limits, with the CDC declaring that at least 15 states are experiencing “very high” infection levels.

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Communities nationwide are grappling with the effects as influenza spreads, fiercely testing a healthcare infrastructure still recovering from the challenges of previous years.

With no signs of slowing down, this narrative of struggle and resilience continues to unfold.

The cold and flu season in the United States is currently marked by the active circulation of four major respiratory viruses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports “very high” flu levels in at least 15 states, signaling the widespread impact of this seasonal menace.

Among the states experiencing intense flu activity are Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas.

Wastewater surveillance has emerged as an invaluable early warning system for public health officials, enabling them to detect high levels of influenza nationwide.

For the week ending January 4, wastewater data confirmed heightened influenza levels, underscoring the escalating threat posed by the flu.

The nation has already seen significant consequences from the current strain, with an estimated 470,000 hospitalizations and 28,000 deaths during the 2023-2024 flu season.

Hospitals are facing severe stress as emergency rooms overflow and visitor restrictions become necessary.

The situation is dire, especially for older adults and other vulnerable groups who are at a higher risk of severe illness.

The CDC estimates that this flu season alone has resulted in around 12 million illnesses, with 160,000 hospitalizations and 6,600 deaths, including 27 pediatric fatalities.

“We’re in the midst of influenza and it’s bad, but whether it’s different than previous years, we won’t know that for months,” Dr. Jason Newland, the Division Chief of Infectious Diseases at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, told Today.com.

The predominant strains driving this flu surge are influenza A strains H3N2 and H1N1, with many cases reported nationwide.

Despite the growing numbers, the flu season started late and has yet to reach its peak, with a notable uptick in cases since early December.

This early surge has alarmed healthcare professionals, who are bracing for weeks more of elevated flu activity.

Preventive measures remain crucial as healthcare providers advocate for common-sense strategies to mitigate the burden.

The CDC advises citizens to stay home if they are symptomatic, until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours.

Additionally, flu shots continue to be promoted as a vital tool in containing the virus’s spread, with the 2024-2025 vaccine covering two flu A strains and one flu B strain.

“Respiratory illness activity remains high across the country, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the CDC says.

Compounding the challenge of the flu, COVID-19 numbers are concurrently rising, further taxing the healthcare system.

As RSV activity peaks, the convergence of these respiratory illnesses highlights the critical need for vigilant public health strategies.

With the flu season expected to persist for several more weeks, uncertainty looms over whether this year will surpass the severity of past seasons.

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