Flu Season Hits Hard: What's Going On and How to Stay Safe

The flu is spreading rapidly this holiday season, with numbers from the CDC showing a significant increase in cases. By late December, over 7.5 million people had fallen ill. More than 81,000 people were hospitalized, and tragically, 3,100 people died, including eight children.

Rapid Spread and High Activity

The flu is spreading at an alarming rate. Almost double the number of locations now report "high" or "very high" flu activity. New York and Massachusetts are among the worst-hit states. New York saw 71,000 cases in one week, the highest number since tracking began in 2004. Boston also experienced a significant surge, with children being the most affected.

Impact on Schools

Some schools have had to switch to online classes due to the high number of sick students. One school in Minnesota made this change just before winter break.

Concerns About H3N2

Experts are particularly worried about the H3N2 strain of the flu virus, which is causing most of the illnesses this year. H3N2 is known for making people sicker, especially older adults. The virus has mutated, making it harder for immune systems to recognize and fight off.

Vaccination and Prevention

The flu vaccine this year may not be a perfect match for the virus, but experts still recommend getting vaccinated. It can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization, especially in children. However, vaccination rates are low, with only about 130 million doses administered in the U.S. this year.

To stay safe, it's important to:

• Get the flu shot
• Avoid contact with sick people
• Wash hands regularly
• Clean surfaces frequently