Virginia at “high” flu-activity level as cases rise nationwide
WWBT••health
Key Points:
- The CDC reports that Virginia is currently experiencing high levels of influenza-like illness, with flu cases rising nationwide to an estimated 7.5 million infections this season, leading to about 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths.
- Emergency department visits for flu symptoms in Virginia have increased nearly 10%, with many cases linked to a new, more severe variant called subclade K, sometimes referred to as the “super flu.”
- Health officials advise individuals experiencing severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, high fever, or chest pain to seek immediate medical care and recommend preventive measures such as vaccination, frequent handwashing, and avoiding gatherings when sick.
- Residents are taking precautions including vaccination, using supplements like vitamin C and echin
