The U.S. flu season is officially underway, with health officials reporting high levels of illnesses in at least seven states and cases on the rise in other parts of the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new flu data on Friday, highlighting the severity of the situation.

According to the CDC's latest report, last week saw very high flu activity in Louisiana, while Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, and South Carolina reported high activity as well. The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, where an influenza epidemic was declared earlier this month, also experienced high levels of flu activity.

Flu activity was noted as moderate but increasing in New York City, Arkansas, California, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. However, the state of Alaska did not contribute data for the latest count, despite experiencing high flu activity for several weeks.

Tracking the flu during the season relies on multiple indicators, such as reports of flu-like symptoms from individuals visiting healthcare facilities. However, many cases go untested, making it challenging to determine the exact number of infections. The presence of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses further complicates the situation.

Alicia Budd, who leads the CDC's flu surveillance team, highlighted the ongoing increase in flu cases based on various indicators. However, she also mentioned that the strain of flu virus circulating this year typically leads to fewer hospitalizations and deaths among the elderly, who are most vulnerable to flu-related complications.

As of now, the CDC estimates that there have been at least 780,000 flu illnesses, over 8,000 hospitalizations, and at least 490 flu-related deaths, including one child, this fall. Budd explained that the effectiveness of the current flu vaccines is not yet clear, but they are well-matched to the strains currently circulating.

According to the latest data from the CDC, flu vaccination rates have slightly decreased compared to last year. Approximately 35% of U.S. adults and 33% of children have received the flu vaccine. These rates, however, surpass the vaccination rates for COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Only 14% of adults and 5% of children have received the recommended COVID-19 vaccine, while the RSV vaccination rate among adults 60 and older stands at around 13.5%.

Health officials continue to encourage people to get vaccinated against the flu to reduce the risk of severe illness and alleviate the strain on healthcare systems. The CDC emphasizes the importance of flu vaccination, especially for those in high-risk groups, such as the elderly and individuals with underlying health conditions.

As the U.S. flu season progresses, health authorities will closely monitor the situation and adjust response measures accordingly to protect public health.

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