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The U.S. flu season is off to a very early start. It's hitting the South and West now
PBS • • general
Key Points:
- The U.S. flu season has started unusually early and is intensifying, with seven states reporting high flu activity last week, up from two states the previous week, according to the CDC.
- Louisiana is currently experiencing the worst flu activity, partly due to low vaccination rates, high poverty, and limited healthcare access.
- The flu hospitalization rate in mid-October is the highest seen that early in autumn in over 15 years, raising concerns about the season's severity.
- Health experts urge immediate vaccination, especially ahead of holiday gatherings, noting that the current vaccine is expected to be effective against the circulating H1N1 flu strain.
- The CDC estimates at least 2.6 million flu illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations, and 2,100 deaths have occurred so far this season, with flu activity initially surging in the South and West.
