WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Friday that the current flu season has reached its highest levels since the 2009 swine flu pandemic, with nearly 8% of outpatient visits across the country attributed to influenza. The second wave of the virus this winter has driven overall respiratory illness to “very high” levels nationwide, surpassing recent years.
Key Flu Season Highlights
- Outpatient flu visits: Close to 8% of visits to doctors’ offices and urgent care centers are for flu-related illnesses, marking the highest rate in more than a decade.
- Lab positivity: Last week, 31.6% of lab tests were positive for influenza, nearly double the 18.2% recorded at last season’s peak.
- Regional impact: Most states report high to very high influenza activity, although some may have peaked. The CDC forecasts that flu cases are “likely growing” in 15 states, with Kentucky seeing particularly high cases among children.
Flu Activity Surging Among Children
In Kentucky, Dr. Kris Bryant, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Norton Children’s Hospital, reported a sharp increase in flu cases among children, describing the situation as “worrisome.”
- 3,000 positive cases in children were reported at the hospital last week.
- Bryant emphasized the dangers of flu-related complications, including seizures and rare cases of brain inflammation.
Low Flu Vaccination Rates a Concern
- Flu vaccination rates are at their lowest level in six years, with fewer than half of Americans vaccinated.
- Bryant suggested that “vaccine hesitancy” could be contributing to the trend, leaving more people—especially children—vulnerable to the virus.
What Sets This Season Apart from the 2009 Pandemic?
Unlike the 2009 swine flu pandemic, current cases are from seasonal flu variants and not a new strain.
- No animal-origin strain: Although farms are battling a record surge of H5N1 bird flu, this outbreak is not related to human flu cases.
- Minimal human risk: Only a handful of bird flu cases have been confirmed in humans, with investigations linking them to direct contact with infected animals rather than human-to-human transmission.
Why Flu Cases Are Surging
Most flu seasons see an increase in cases after the winter holidays, but this year’s resurgence is unusually high due to a combination of low vaccination rates and reduced immunity from recent seasons. The ongoing wave of respiratory illnesses has been exacerbated by a second wave of flu infections, despite declining COVID-19 cases.
What Can Be Done?
Health officials urge the public to:
- Get vaccinated: It’s not too late to get a flu shot, which can reduce severe illness and hospitalization.
- Practice good hygiene: Frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with sick individuals are key preventive measures.
- Monitor symptoms: Seek medical attention if flu symptoms, especially in children, worsen or are accompanied by severe complications like seizures or confusion.
As flu activity continues to surge, experts stress the importance of vaccinations and preventive measures to curb its spread. Although the current flu wave is not tied to a new strain, its high impact—especially on children—has raised concerns among medical professionals nationwide.
