Health
Flu Activity Hits 30-Year High Across U.S.
Health Points
- Flu cases are currently very high in 45 states, with doctor visits for flu-like symptoms reaching a 30-year peak.
- This season’s flu has resulted in over 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths nationwide.
- Getting a flu shot—even now—can significantly reduce your risk of severe illness and help protect your community.
This year’s flu season is the busiest in decades, with more people seeking medical care for symptoms like fever, aches, and fatigue than at any time since the 1990s.
Recent data shows 8.2 percent of outpatient visits nationwide are flu-related, outpacing last year and even the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
About 11 million flu cases have already been reported, and nearly every state is experiencing high transmission rates.
“It looks like we are in for a rough flu season,” says Mark Rupp, MD, infectious disease specialist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Flu complications can be serious; 120,000 people have been hospitalized and 5,000 have died so far this season, including children and healthy adults.
Those over 65, people with heart or lung conditions, and anyone with a weakened immune system are especially vulnerable to severe illness.
“Sometimes the virus causes severe lung injury very quickly, or a secondary bacterial infection strikes,” explains Sojib Zaman, PhD, at James Madison University.
An unexpected change in the influenza A virus, known as subclade K of H3N2, is making this year’s flu easier to catch and spread.
Despite the step ahead by the virus, doctor Andrew Pekosz, PhD, at Johns Hopkins, notes that the illness isn’t more severe, but it is infecting more people than usual.
While this season’s vaccine doesn’t perfectly match the main circulating strain, experts agree it still helps prevent serious illness and hospitalization.
“Most of the deaths and hospitalizations for influenza are in unvaccinated people,” emphasizes Dr. Pekosz.
Only 43 percent of Americans have received their flu shot, which falls behind rates from before the pandemic.
Samantha Picking, PharmD, with Walgreens, says, “When fewer individuals are vaccinated, we lose the benefits of herd immunity.”
It’s not too late to get vaccinated; the shot continues to provide protection even as flu season stretches into spring.
You can also help curb the spread by frequent handwashing, avoiding touching your face, and staying home if you feel ill.
Stay informed and empower your health—now’s the time to take preventive steps for yourself and your loved ones.
