Nearly 3,000 people have already died from the flu this season: CDC

Flu season has arrived early and is sure to get worse, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its latest flu data release.

“Seasonal influenza activity has increased across the country,” the health agency said in its Weekly US Influenza Surveillance Report for November 28, 2022. The report covered the week ending November 19.

This year, over 2,900 people, incl 12 children, have died from the flu since October, the CDC said; five of those children died in the week ending November 19.

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It is estimated that there were 53,000 people hospitalized for flu so far this season, the agency said.

The cumulative hospitalization rate this year is “higher than the rate recorded in week 46 during every previous season since 2010-2011,” according to the report.

Typically, flu season peaks in the later winter months, the CDC noted.

“This is a tough and early flu season in terms of hospitalizations and deaths,” Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News medical contributor and professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, told Fox News Digital via email on Tuesday. . “Several children died.”

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He also said: “There are a number of reasons, including that this is a bad type of flu. We’ve had very mild flu seasons the last few years, so our partial immunity from previous exposure is missing and flu vaccinations are down – even though it’s a good match this year.”

“I believe our immune systems are a little slower to respond because of previous isolations, masks” and more, said Dr. Marc Siegel.

The flu season “generally peaks” in January and February, he noted, but “it’s already at a high level in many states.”

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He added, “Also, I believe our immune systems are a little slower to respond because of the previous isolations, masks” and more.

Three states — Texas, New Mexico and Tennessee — have the highest levels of influenza-like illness (ILI) activity, the CDC said.

An additional eight states, plus the District of Columbia, are at the second highest level of OR activity.

Only four states — Alaska, Michigan, New Hampshire and Vermont — have “minimal” levels of OR activity, the CDC noted.

The vast majority of influenza types identified are influenza A subtypes, accounting for 99.3% of influenza samples tested. Influenza B accounts for the remaining .7%.

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“Of the influenza A viruses detected and subtyped this season, 78% were influenza A(H3N2) and 22% were influenza A(H1N1),” the CDC said.

The agency advises all persons older than six months get a flu shotadding that “now is a good time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already”.

The flu is most dangerous for people over 65, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions including heart and lung disease, Fox News Digital reported.

This year, people 65 and older are being urged to get a special type of flu shot for extra protection, the Associated Press reported.

Seniors are encouraged to receive Fluzone High-Dose, Flublok or Fluad Adjuvinated vaccines this year.

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Fluzone High-Dose and Flublok contain higher doses of the main flu-fighting ingredient, while Fluad Adjuvanted has an additional special ingredient that helps boost people’s immune responses, the AP reported.

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Seniors can and should ask what type of flu vaccine their doctor carries.

If the elderly vaccine is not available, they should get the standard flu shot, Fox News Digital previously reported.