13-02-2025
Medical experts warn New Orleans residents of potential flu spike ahead of Mardi Gras season
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — It's been one of the worst flu seasons we've seen in about 15 years, with at least 24 million flu illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths across the country.
Unfortunately, Louisiana seems to have played a large part in those numbers.
'Our flu rates led the nation for weeks starting in November. We had some of the highest, if not the highest rates for almost 2 months,' New Orleans Health Department Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno said.
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According to the CDC, about 44% of adults got flu shots this winter across the country which is about the same as last year. Only about 45% of children were vaccinated, down from about 50%.
'More people are hesitant and they're not getting their children vaccinated, and again while children are generally healthy, 57 children have already died from the flu; and children are often vectors to spread it, not only to each other, but to their family,' Dr. Avegno said.
Just recently thousands of guests from around the country spent time in the city for the Super Bowl, and plenty more will be visiting soon during carnival.
Due to this, Avegno says there is a chance the city could see another spike if we're not careful.
'I am hopeful that we in Louisiana because we were so high early and for so long, that we are going to be trending down, and hopefully those visitors who are going to be visiting us are going to be getting through their peak as well,' Dr. Avegno said.
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At around this time of the season, the flu vaccine begins to get more and more scarce, so pharmacists recommend coming as soon as you can to get yours if you haven't already, before it's too late.
'Ideally you would have gotten your flu shot in September, October of last year for this flu season, but if you haven't gotten it, it's not too late because there's still some flu out there. Still good to protect yourself,' Majoria Drugs Pharmacist Brian Guidry threat ending tonight as cold front pushes through
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