The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned
the public earlier this month to be prepared for a bad year of the flu. The CDC
found that this year’s flu season got underway in late November, the earliest
start since 2003. The CDC also warns that the strain being seen this year tends
to be more severe than in the past.
Normally, a spike in flu like symptoms is not expected until
late December, but the CDC reported that the season kicked off the week of
November 24th. During that week, about 2.2% of doctor visits were
for flu-like symptoms.
The flu is expected to be especially bad in the south, where
five states are seeing outbreaks. These states include Tennessee, Mississippi,
Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. Meanwhile, Georgia and Missouri are reporting
moderate levels of this year’s strain.
The best tool against infection is still vaccination. The
vaccine that is available this year is well equipped to handle the flu,
according to the CDC, and officials there believe the vaccine will be
effective. So far, 123 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed, and
112 million of those have been administered.
This year, unlike past years, there is not expected to be
any shortage of vaccines, so everyone should be able to get a vaccine if they
want one. The CDC especially recommends vaccinating vulnerable groups including
children, pregnant women, and healthcare workers.
You can view the Denver Post article here, and the
CDC report here.
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