Flu activity in US could continue to rise for weeks, top CDC epidemiologist says
ABC News••general
Key Points:
- Flu activity in the U.S. is expected to continue increasing over the next few weeks, with elevated levels potentially lasting into the spring, according to CDC epidemiologist Dr. Carrie Reed.
- This flu season has resulted in at least 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths, though these numbers are likely underestimates.
- The dominant flu strain is a new variant called subclade K, a mutation of the H3N2 influenza A virus, which differs somewhat from the strains included in the current vaccine.
- Despite the vaccine being a partial match, it is still recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, as it offers protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and
