The flu season in the United States is the most intense in at least 15 years

The season of the winter American virus is fully strength, and in one measure it is the most intense in 15 years.

One of the influenza activity indicators is the percentage of visits to the medical office powered by flu symptoms. Last week, this number was clearly higher than the peak of every influenza season from 2009-2010, when the pandemic of the pig flu hit the nation data Published on Friday morning by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of course, other viral infections could be mistaken for flu. But Covid-19 seems to fall, in response to hospital data and CDC modeling forecasts. Available data He also suggests that one other respiratory disease, RSV, disappears at national level.

Flu forced schools to shut in some states. The Independent School District Godley, a 3,200-high-cycle system near Fort Worth in Texas, was closed last week for 3 days after 650 students and 60 employees who left on Tuesday.

Jeff Meador, a spokesman for the district, said that the overwhelming majority of diseases were flu and in addition a throat zone. He called it the worst flu season he remembered.

Until now, this season, he estimates CDC, there have been at least 24 million influenza diseases, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths – including at least 57 children. Traditionally, the flu season boasts around February.

Generally, 43 states reported high or very high activity of flu last week. The flu was the most intense in the Southern, South -Western and Western states.

In Rochester, New York, the flu season was intense, but not necessarily worse than in the peak of other years, said Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric rescue doctor at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

She said that there is plenty of flu, but there is still plenty of RSV and a surprising number of youngsters from Covid-19.

“All respiratory diseases are nearby, with revenge,” Murray added.

CDC refused to permit the Associated Press reporter to confer with an agency fluke expert on recent trends. Trump’s administration ordered temporary “pause” on the communication of the health agency and still refuses to use for an interview, which were routinely awarded in the past.

In the late Friday afternoon, the CDC spokesman admitted that recent data show “the highest absolute value” of influenza -like disease in comparison with other seasons, but added that the statistics are complicated: this value refers to the basic estimation of visits to the doctor’s office, but the final analysis is again calculated annually. At the end of January, CDC described the season as “moderate” of the seasons.

US health officials recommend that every one 6 months and elders receive Annual flu vaccination.

About 44% of adults have influenza shots this winter, similar to last winter. But the range of youngsters is FarAbout 45% of this winter. Usually it is about 50%, in response to the CDC data.

About 23% of adults in the USA have been up to this point in their vaccinations Covid-19 since the end of January, in comparison with about 20% at the same time of the previous yr. Covid-19 vaccination indicators for youngsters were roughly the same, about 12%.

The government has not yet informed about the estimates how well the flu vaccine works this season.

The results of patient tests indicate that two strains of seasonal flu that cause most diseases – type H1N1 type A and H3N2 type A. Health officials rigorously observe the third strain – A bird flu Known as H5N1 type A – which has sick tens of hundreds of thousands of animals, however it is known that he only infects 67 people in the USA

To avoid seasonal virusesDoctors say that you need to avoid touching your eyes, nose and lips, because germs can spread in this fashion. You must also wash your hands with soap and water, clean often touching surfaces and avoid close contact with sick people.