U.S. Flu Season Begins Early and Intensifies, CDC Reports
The U.S. flu season has commenced earlier than usual and is rapidly intensifying, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven states reported high flu activity last week, an increase from two states the previous week. Over 3% of doctor's office visits were for flu-like illnesses, indicating the season is well underway. The surge originated in the South and West, with California, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington currently experiencing high activity. Louisiana is particularly affected, partly due to lower vaccination rates and healthcare access challenges. The CDC estimates at least 2.6 million illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations, and 2,100 deaths have occurred so far this season. The flu hospitalization rate in mid-October was the highest for that period in over 15 years.