This is a bad year for flu and it's not over. What to know in Florida
If you feel like everyone is coughing and sneezing around you this winter, it may not be your imagination.
Experts have said this is the worst flu season in more than a decade.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, for the week ending Feb. 8, "Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and is higher than it has been all season."
The following week, ending Feb. 15, the season has been classified as a "high severity season overall and for all age groups (children, adults, older adults) and is the first high severity season since 2017-2018."
Here's what you should know.
33 million: Estimated number of illnesses
430,000: Hospitalizations
19,000: Total number of deaths so far this season.
43,367: patients admitted to hospitals with influenza during the week.
3.0%: Percentage of deaths attributed to influenza.
The week ending Jan. 25, 2024, was the first time that the percent of deaths for influenza (1.7%) was higher than the percent of deaths for COVID-19.
18: Influenza pediatric deaths during the week.
86 deaths over the season.
2,486: The number of viruses report by public health laboratories for the week, with the following breakdown:
2,383: Influenza A, H1N1 and H3N2 predominant
103 Influenza B
All data were provided by the CDC, with a note the numbers were preliminary and could change.
Last year, the CDC estimated the flu caused a total of 470,000 hospitalizations and 28,000 deaths.
CDC shows a high level of ILI, or influenza-like illness in Florida.
"Individual cases are not reportable in Florida with the exception of novel flu A (a new subtype of flu A) and flu associated pediatric deaths," according to the Florida Department of Health.
All outbreaks are reportable in the state.
For the week of Feb. 9-15, Florida flu data showed:
Predominant strain: Influenza A H1N1
Flu positivity rate: down from week prior
Flu emergency department visits: down from week prior
Outbreaks during the week: 12, in the following counties:
Alachua: 2
Brevard: 1
Martin: 1
Okaloosa: 1
Pinellas: 2
Polk: 1
Sarasota: 1
Seminole: 1
Suwanee: 2
While flu season ends May 17, although monitoring continues year-round, according to the Florida Department of Health.
"Seasons vary in timing, severity, and duration. It is not possible to predict what each flu season will be like in Florida," the agency added.
Flu vaccination rates among the general population are at their lowest level in three years, according to CDC data. Among children, they're at a six-year low.
'Any family physician would tell you it is not too late to get your flu shot or your COVID booster this year,' said Jen Brull, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. 'Flu and COVID exist all year-round.'
According to America's Health Rankings, 37.6 percent in Florida reported getting a flu vaccine over 12 months in 2023.
That puts Florida well behind the top state, Massachusetts, with a 56.6% vaccination rate, and slightly above the bottom state, Idaho, with 32.1%.
The national average is 42.9%.
The flu and COVID-19 have several symptoms in common. Here's how you can tell between the two viruses:
The CDC offered this advice to protect yourself from flu, or other infectious diseases:
Get the flu vaccine.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
Stay home if you're sick. You can go back when:
Your symptoms are better AND
You haven't had a fever (while not using fever-reducing medication).
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth so you don't transfer any germs from contaminated surfaces.
Clean and disinfect your home frequently, especially surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs and countertops.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Contributing: Karissa Waddick, Janet Loehrke, USA Today
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Flu cases hit 15-year high. Florida numbers, symptoms
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