NEW YORK — Health officials announced Friday that the flu season in the United States has officially begun, with a notable increase in cases spreading across much of the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported significant upticks in various indicators, such as laboratory tests and emergency room visits related to flu symptoms.
The CDC’s Alicia Budd confirmed that cases have been escalating steadily over recent weeks, stating, “We are certainly in flu season now.” Last week, thirteen states experienced high or very high levels of flu-like illnesses, doubling the figures from the previous week. Tennessee, particularly the Nashville area, is experiencing a concerning surge, according to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University. He remarked, “Flu has been increasing, but just this last week has exploded,” adding that one local clinic is seeing around 25% of patients displaying flu symptoms.
Lousiana is another emerging hotspot for flu activity. Dr. Catherine O’Neal, an infectious diseases physician at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, indicated that the current week marks a significant turning point in flu cases. She noted an increase in parents missing work due to flu-related sickness and the urgent need for flu tests.
Flu-like symptoms can also arise from other illnesses, such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). COVID-19 hospitalizations have been on a decline since summer, with CDC reports showing moderate activity nationwide but higher levels in the Midwest, indicated by wastewater data. While RSV hospitalizations began to rise prior to flu cases, they are now showing signs of stability, yet they are still slightly more prevalent than flu-related admissions. Nationally, RSV activity remains low, although higher in southern states, according to the wastewater monitoring.
The CDC declared the onset of flu season based on various metrics, including lab results and the portion of emergency department visits that resulted in flu diagnoses. No specific flu strain appears to be dominant thus far, and it’s premature to determine how effective the flu vaccine will be this season, Budd noted.
Last winter’s flu season was categorized as “moderate” but lengthy, lasting 21 weeks and resulting in an estimated 28,000 flu-related fatalities. This period was particularly risky for children, with 205 pediatric deaths recorded—the highest for any typical flu season. Budd suggested the extended duration of the flu season and the low vaccination rates among children contributed to the high mortality rate, with 80% of the children who died and were eligible for vaccination lacking complete immunization.
Vaccination rates are falling again this year, with approximately 41% of adults vaccinated against the flu as of early December—similar to last year’s numbers. However, only 40% of children have been vaccinated, down from 44% the previous year. Additionally, vaccination rates against COVID-19 are even lower, with just 21% of adults and 11% of children fully up to date.
Experts are recommending that everyone get vaccinated, especially with the holiday season approaching, where respiratory viruses can spread easily during gatherings. Dr. Schaffner emphasized, “It’s not too late to get vaccinated.”
Contrastingly, the Louisiana health department has recently stated it is stepping back from endorsing flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, suggesting that individuals consult their doctors to determine whether the shots are appropriate for them. The state’s surgeon general has previously raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Public health advocates argue that such policies could endanger lives, with some warning that lives could be lost due to reduced vaccination encouragement. Jennifer Herricks, founder of Louisiana Families for Vaccines, stated, “People are going to die because of this policy.”