The U.S. flu season is off to a very early start. It's hitting the South and West now
Summary
The U.S. flu season began earlier than usual and is intensifying, with high activity reported in seven states, mainly in the South and West. The CDC estimates that flu has caused at least 2.6 million illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths so far this season.Key Facts
- Seven states reported high flu activity last week, up from two states the week before.
- More than 3% of doctors’ office visits last week were for flu-like illness.
- The states reporting high activity were California, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
- The flu hospitalization rate in mid-October was the highest recorded that early in autumn in more than 15 years.
- Most flu illnesses so far this fall have been caused by an H1N1 virus with mutations that may help it evade immune defenses.
- Early data suggests this season’s vaccine can recognize the circulating virus, but its effectiveness will not be known for months.
- Last winter’s flu season caused at least 32 million illnesses, 380,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths, according to CDC estimates.
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