U.S. Faces Most Intense Winter Flu Season in 15 Years

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U.S. Faces Most Intense Winter Flu Season in 15 Years \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The U.S. winter virus season is reaching record levels, with flu activity surpassing any season since 2009-2010, according to CDC data. 43 states reported high or very high flu activity, particularly in the South and Southwest. The CDC estimates at least 24 million flu cases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths so far. COVID-19 and RSV are declining, but respiratory illnesses remain widespread. Flu shot rates among children are lower than usual, and officials urge vaccination and hygiene precautions to curb infections.

U.S. Flu Season Reaches 15-Year Peak: Quick Look

Flu activity is at its highest level since 2009-2010, per CDC reports.
Doctor visits for flu-like symptoms are higher than any recent winter season.
Schools in multiple states have shut down due to outbreaks.
Texas school district closed for three days after 650 students, 60 staff were out sick.
CDC estimates 24 million flu cases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths this season.
Flu is most severe in the South, Southwest, and western U.S.
COVID-19 and RSV cases are decreasing, but all respiratory viruses remain active.
Flu shot rates for children have dropped, raising public health concerns.
Doctors recommend vaccinations, handwashing, and avoiding close contact to prevent infections.

Deep Look

The 2024 U.S. winter virus season has become the most severe in 15 years, with flu activity surpassing levels seen in any season since 2009-2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data posted on Friday showed that flu-related doctor visits were higher than any winter flu season in over a decade, signaling an intense outbreak.

Hospitals and clinics across the country continue to report a high volume of flu patients, with 43 states experiencing high or very high flu activity. The South, Southwest, and western states have been hit hardest. The CDC estimates that so far, there have been at least 24 million flu cases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 flu-related deaths, including at least 57 children.

Flu outbreaks have forced school closures in multiple states. In Texas, the Godley Independent School District, located near Fort Worth, shut down for three days after 650 students and 60 staff members called in sick. District spokesperson Jeff Meador described the outbreak as the worst flu season he could remember, noting that in addition to the flu, strep throat was spreading among students.

Flu, COVID-19, and RSV: A Complicated Virus Season

While flu cases are soaring, data suggests that COVID-19 and RSV infections are on the decline. Hospital records and CDC modeling projections show a decrease in COVID-19 cases, offering a positive sign that the latest surge is waning. RSV, which earlier in the season overwhelmed pediatric hospitals, is also fading nationally.

However, all three respiratory viruses remain in circulation, causing hospitals to stay on high alert. In Rochester, New York, Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, said that while flu cases are dominating, RSV and COVID-19 are still being diagnosed in significant numbers, particularly among infants. She described the current virus season as an intense, prolonged struggle for hospitals and clinics.

“All of the respiratory illnesses are around, with a vengeance,” Murray noted.

The CDC has not yet released data on the effectiveness of this season’s flu vaccine, but officials continue to urge vaccination as the best defense against severe flu complications.

Flu Vaccination Rates Lag Behind Previous Years

Despite the severity of this year’s flu season, flu vaccination rates remain lower than ideal, particularly among children. As of January, only 44% of U.S. adults had received a flu shot, mirroring last winter’s numbers. However, flu vaccination among children has dropped to 45%, down from the usual 50% coverage seen in past years.

At the same time, COVID-19 vaccination rates also remain stagnant. The CDC reported that only 23% of U.S. adults had received an updated COVID-19 shot by late January, a small increase from the 20% coverage rate at the same time last year. Among children, COVID-19 vaccine uptake has remained alarmingly low at just 12%.

Health officials have repeatedly stressed that vaccines remain the most effective way to prevent severe flu and COVID-19 complications. However, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and pandemic fatigue have contributed to lower immunization rates nationwide.

Flu Strains and Emerging Bird Flu Concerns

Lab testing confirms that the two dominant flu strains circulating this season are Type A H1N1 and Type A H3N2, both of which are typical seasonal flu viruses. However, health officials are closely monitoring a third strain—Type A H5N1 (bird flu)—which has infected tens of millions of animals worldwide.

Although H5N1 bird flu infections in humans are rare, the virus has been detected in 67 people in the U.S. so far. Scientists and epidemiologists are watching closely for any signs of human-to-human transmission, though currently, the virus does not appear to spread easily among people.

CDC Communication Restrictions Under Trump Administration

As concerns over flu and other respiratory viruses grow, journalists have encountered increased difficulty obtaining official updates from the CDC. The Trump administration has imposed communication restrictions on health agencies, ordering a temporary pause on external media interviews related to virus trends.

As a result, the CDC declined to allow an Associated Press reporter to speak directly with a flu expert regarding the unprecedented intensity of this year’s outbreak. This shift marks a departure from past policies, as flu season updates were previously made readily available to the public through expert interviews.

How to Stay Safe During the Flu Season

With flu season typically peaking in February, doctors stress that it’s not too late to take precautions to avoid getting sick. Health experts recommend:

Getting vaccinated for flu and staying up to date on COVID-19 shots.
Washing hands regularly with soap and water.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces like phones, keyboards, and doorknobs.
Staying home when sick to prevent spreading the virus to others.

The 2024 flu season has already proven to be one of the most severe in recent history, and public health officials urge Americans to remain vigilant as flu cases continue to surge across the country.