Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Flu Season Update: CDC Reports Declining Cases Across The US

flu season update

Flu cases are starting to fall, yet experts caution that the United States still faces risks. In the week ending January 10, fifteen more children died from the flu, bringing the total pediatric deaths this season to 32, as per NBC News.

<h2><span rel="noindex">Flu Season</span>: Latest CDC Data</h2>

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an 18% drop in confirmed flu cases compared with the previous week. Visits to doctors for respiratory illnesses decreased by more than 5%, and hospitalization rates fell by nearly 55%. Influenza-related deaths, however, rose by 2%.

So far this flu season, the CDC estimates that 18 million people have been infected, including 230,000 hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths.

“It seems like there is some cautious good news that cases are declining,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health. “But I’m going to put a giant asterisk on this because that does not mean the worst is behind us.”

Last year, flu cases dipped around this time before climbing again in early February.

<h2>Flu Season: State-by-State Variation</h2>

CDC data reflect a national trend, but not all states have necessarily reached their peak. “We are not going to all experience this at the same time,” said Beth Carlton, a public health professor at the University of Colorado, as per NBC News. “Nationwide, the trend is downward, but different states and communities may see spikes as the virus spreads.”

Flu often appears first in densely populated areas like New York City before moving to rural regions, but the virus can behave unpredictably.

Although flu cases may be falling overall, other winter illnesses such as norovirus, Covid, and strep throat are still causing school closures in states including Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

High flu activity continues in Idaho, New Mexico, New York, and parts of Appalachia, while Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming report lower case numbers.

“The number of people hospitalized for influenza around New Year’s was extremely high—the second highest in the past decade, with last year being the highest,” Carlton said.

<h2>Flu Season: A Difficult Flu Season</h2>

This year’s <span>severe flu season</span> is driven by a heavily mutated strain of influenza A called H3N2 subclade K. Its mutations make it less similar to the strain used in this year’s vaccine. Influenza-like illnesses, including RSV and Covid, are also unusually high, Nuzzo said.

“Typically these viruses peak at different times, but this year they are peaking together, making the season particularly harsh,” she noted.

While there were concerns that the vaccine would be less effective against subclade K, recent research shows the current flu shot still offers protection, particularly against hospitalization. The vaccine covers three strains: H1N1, H3N2, and one B strain.

As per NBC News, last year marked the deadliest flu season for children since the CDC began tracking pediatric deaths, with 289 children dying—more than during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

“That double peak last season clearly had consequences,” Nuzzo said. “Any decline this season is welcome, but we can’t assume the worst is over.”

Among children eligible for the flu shot whose vaccination status was known, 90% of pediatric deaths occurred in unvaccinated kids.

Following recent CDC guidance, flu shots are no longer recommended for all children, a change from the previous advice that everyone six months and older should be vaccinated annually.

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Flu cases are starting to fall, yet experts caution that the United States still faces risks. In the week ending January 10, fifteen more children died from the flu, bringing the total pediatric deaths this season to 32, as per NBC News.Flu Season: Latest CDC DataOn Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an 18% drop in confirmed flu cases compared with the previous week. Visits to doctors for respiratory illnesses decreased by more than 5%, and hospitalization rates fell by nearly 55%. Influenza-related deaths, however, rose by 2%.So far this flu season, the CDC estimates that 18 million people have been infected, including 230,000 hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths.“It seems like there is some cautious good news that cases are declining,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health. “But I’m going to put a giant asterisk on this because that does not mean the worst is behind us.”Last year, flu cases dipped around this time before climbing again in early February.Flu Season: State-by-State VariationCDC data reflect a national trend, but not all states have necessarily reached their peak. “We are not going to all experience this at the same time,” said Beth Carlton, a public health professor at the University of Colorado, as per NBC News. “Nationwide, the trend is downward, but different states and communities may see spikes as the virus spreads.”Flu often appears first in densely populated areas like New York City before moving to rural regions, but the virus can behave unpredictably.Flu Season: Impact on SchoolsAlthough flu cases may be falling overall, other winter illnesses such as norovirus, Covid, and strep throat are still causing school closures in states including Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia.High flu activity continues in Idaho, New Mexico, New York, and parts of Appalachia, while Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming report lower case numbers.“The number of people hospitalized for influenza around New Year’s was extremely high—the second highest in the past decade, with last year being the highest,” Carlton said.Flu Season: A Difficult Flu SeasonThis year’s severe flu season is driven by a heavily mutated strain of influenza A called H3N2 subclade K. Its mutations make it less similar to the strain used in this year’s vaccine. Influenza-like illnesses, including RSV and Covid, are also unusually high, Nuzzo said.“Typically these viruses peak at different times, but this year they are peaking together, making the season particularly harsh,” she noted.While there were concerns that the vaccine would be less effective against subclade K, recent research shows the current flu shot still offers protection, particularly against hospitalization. The vaccine covers three strains: H1N1, H3N2, and one B strain.Flu Season: Pediatric RiskAs per NBC News, last year marked the deadliest flu season for children since the CDC began tracking pediatric deaths, with 289 children dying—more than during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.“That double peak last season clearly had consequences,” Nuzzo said. “Any decline this season is welcome, but we can’t assume the worst is over.”Among children eligible for the flu shot whose vaccination status was known, 90% of pediatric deaths occurred in unvaccinated kids.Following recent CDC guidance, flu shots are no longer recommended for all children, a change from the previous advice that everyone six months and older should be vaccinated annually.