Brace yourself, folks, because the flu season is far from over! A leading epidemiologist at the CDC has warned that flu activity in the US could persist for weeks, and here's why it's a cause for concern.
Dr. Carrie Reed, the chief of the epidemiology and prevention branch at the CDC's influenza division, paints a clear picture: "There's a lot of influenza circulating right now." And it's not just a passing phase; Reed expects this elevated activity to continue for a bit longer, possibly even into the spring.
The CDC's latest estimates reveal a staggering impact: at least 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths from the flu this season. And here's the kicker - these numbers are likely an underestimate based on the data so far, according to Reed.
But here's where it gets controversial: a new variant, known as subclade K, has emerged as the dominant strain. This variant, a mutation of the H3N2 virus (a subtype of influenza A), has become the primary culprit behind the flu cases. Out of the 994 flu samples tested since late September, nearly all were influenza A, and of those, a whopping 90% were H3N2.
And this is the part most people miss: subclade K has evolved with some mutations that make it slightly different from the vaccine and the strains that have been circulating over the past few years. So, while the current flu vaccine isn't a perfect match, it's still expected to provide some protection against this new variant and reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
However, the good news is that the new variant doesn't seem to be causing more severe illnesses, at least not yet. Reed emphasizes, "There are still benefits to the vaccine, even if the virus has drifted from what's in the vaccine." While they haven't seen increases in hospitalization and mortality yet, they're keeping a close eye on it.
For those who have fallen ill, there's hope too. Antiviral medications, known as flu antivirals, can help reduce the severity and duration of the illness. Reed advises those at higher risk of severe disease to seek early care and consult their doctors about a prescription for flu antivirals.
Flu antivirals have proven effective in shortening the illness and lowering the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death. So, if you haven't already, it's not too late to get your flu shot. As Reed puts it, "There's still time to get a flu vaccine." While it takes a couple of weeks for your immune system to respond after vaccination, the protection offered by the influenza vaccine can last for many more weeks of flu activity.
So, stay vigilant, folks! Get vaccinated, practice good hygiene, and remember, we're all in this together.
