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The US flu season is off to a very early start. It's targeting the South and West now
KSL News • • 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 the previous week, according to the CDC.
- Louisiana is experiencing the worst flu outbreak so far, attributed to low vaccination rates, high poverty, and healthcare access challenges, with experts urging immediate vaccination.
- The flu hospitalization rate in mid-October is the highest seen that early in over 15 years, signaling a potentially severe season, though it's too soon to predict overall severity.
- The current flu surge is driven mainly by a mutated A H1N1 strain, but early data indicates this year's vaccine remains effective against circulating viruses.
- Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination before holiday gatherings, noting that even those who have had the flu this season should still get vaccinated due to multiple strains circulating.
