'Perfect storm for a terrible holiday season': Flu rates extremely high in ... trends now
Nearly every state in America is recording 'very high' levels of flu as the US is slammed by a lockdown-fueled resurgence of respiratory viruses this fall.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 9million flu infections and 4,500 deaths caused by the virus this flu season - with the worst expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Typical flu season runs from October to May each year.
Dr Sandra Fryhofer, a trustee at the American Medical Association, said during a CDC briefing Monday 'It's a perfect storm for a terrible holiday season,
Experts have blamed the deadly flu outbreak on lockdowns, mask mandates, social distancing orders during the Covid pandemic, which left the US population 'immune naïve' as they were robbed of vital exposure to healthy germs.
The surge has overrun hospitals, and led to a shortage of key flu medications as a result.
A total of 44 US states are recording 'very high' levels of flu transmission, according to the CDC, with 11 of those states recording the highest classification (purple)
The CDC reports 14 pediatric deaths from the flu so far this year. Usually, nearly 200 children die from the virus each season.
In its most recent data update over the weekend, the CDC listed 44 states as having 'very high' levels of flu transmission.
The CDC determines each state's classification by combining infection figures, positive test rate and hospitalizations related to the flu.
Among that groups of 44, 11 states are considered to have the highest level of flu circulation - standing out even among the others.
The 11 US states include: California, Colorado, Kentucky, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
Nationwide, 32,733 flu cases were confirmed by health officials during the week that ended November 26 and 25 percent of swabs returned positive.
Influenza is not the only virus circulating. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is continuing its spread around the US, but has slowed in recent weeks.
The virus is an annual bug that comes back around each flu season. It is usually overlooked as it is not particularly dangerous to adults - but young children are vulnerable.
It kills around 300 to 500 children each year, according to official data.
The CDC logged 7,460 new cases and a 12.5 percent positivity rate for RSV last week.
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