"One type of flu virus, called A H3N2, historically has caused the most hospitalizations and deaths in older people. So far this season, that's the type most frequently reported. Even more concerning, more than 91% of the H3N2 infections analyzed were a new version known as the subclade K variant that differs from the strain in this year's flu shots."
"Last flu season saw the highest overall flu hospitalization rate since the H1N1 flu pandemic 15 years ago. And child flu deaths reached 289, the worst recorded for any U.S. flu season this century including that H1N1 swine flu pandemic of 2009-2010. So far this season, there have been at least 15 million flu illnesses and 180,000 hospitalizations, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. It also estimates there have been 7,400 deaths, including at least 17 children."
"Determining exactly how flu season is going can be particularly tricky around the holidays. Schools are closed and many people are traveling. Some people may be less likely to see a doctor, deciding to just suffer at home. Others may be more likely to go. Also, some seasons see a surge in cases, then a decline, and then a second surge."
U.S. flu activity showed a slight decline in medical visits for flu-like illness and in the number of states reporting high activity, but hospitalizations and deaths rose. The A H3N2 subtype is most frequently reported and historically causes the most hospitalizations and deaths in older people. More than 91% of analyzed H3N2 infections were the subclade K variant that differs from the strain in this season's vaccines. So far this season there have been at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and an estimated 7,400 deaths, including at least 17 children. Last season had the highest hospitalization rate since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and 289 child deaths.
Read at www.dailycamera.com
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