CDC: Flu Activity on the Rise And Can Be Deadly
(CREDIT: CDC website)
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that the flu already is battering seven states and warns that America could endure one of the deadliest flu strains this season.
According to this week’s FluView report, seasonal influenza activity increased slightly in the United States. The proportion of people seeing their health care provider for influenza-like-illness has been at or above the national baseline for two weeks this season.
By the end of last week, seven states reported widespread flu activity: Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Virginia. Eighteen states — including Illinois — reported regional flu activity, and 18 states reported local influenza activity.
According to the CDC, the proportion of deaths nationwide attributed to pneumonia and influenza was 5.7 percent for the week ending Nov. 18, 2017 (Week 46). This percentage is below the epidemic threshold of 6.6 percent for week 46 in the National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Surveillance System.
Region and state-specific data are available at this CDC web page.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois saw outbreaks of flu or increased influenza-like illness, including recent laboratory confirmed influenza, in at least two but less than half the regions of the state.
Kane County Health Department Flu Report
Kane County’s influenza surveillance report for the week ending Dec. 2 indicates that 2.5 percent of hospital emergency room visits were for influenza-like illness.
During Week 48, six labs reported that 38 of 402 — or 9.5 percent —of specimens tested for influenza were positive. Of these 38 specimens, 33 (86.8%) were positive for Influenza A and five (13.2%) were positive for Influenza B.
The ILI absenteeism rate for public schools in Kane County was 0.18 percent. No public school was closed for increased ILI activity.
As of the week ending Dec. 2, there have been four cases of influenza-related ICU admission reported to the Health Department. No influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported.
To date, two outbreaks of influenza have been reported in Long-Term Care/Assisted Living facilities in Kane County.
CDC’s Flu Vaccine Finder
Kane County Walk-in Flu Shot Clinics
SOURCE: Kane County Health Department website
The best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu this season is to get a flu shot. Call 630-208-3801 for more information.
- Where: Aurora office, 1240 N. Highland Ave.
- Clinic hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, while vaccine supply lasts.
- Cost: $23.87, payable by check or cash.
