Flu Remains Widespread In Florida, Now Blamed For 5 Child Deaths

Flu is still widespread across the United States, where it’s blamed for thousands of hospitalizations and at least 53 pediatric deaths. Flu activity continued to intensify last week, reaching its highest level in almost a decade, according to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Florida, flu activity is high and increased sharply for the third week in a row, state health officials said. Flu activity was at higher levels than in previous flu seasons.

Florida deaths due to pneumonia and influenza were slightly higher than expected, according to the Florida Department of Health. Deaths are expected to increase over the coming weeks, health officials said. Most deaths occurred in people aged 65 years and older. The majority of deaths in people aged 64 years and younger occurred in people with underlying health conditions (74 percent).

More outbreaks have been reported in Florida than in previous seasons. Nearly all of these outbreaks (94%) have been reported in facilities serving people at risk for complications from influenza infection (children and adults aged 65 years and older).

Nationwide, the hospitalization rate per 100,000 people was 51.4 and so far, the CDC reports that a total of 14,676 hospitalizations have been reported for the 2017-18 flu season. The most frequently identified flu virus subtype reported by public health laboratories was influenza A(H3), a particularly aggressive and highly contagious strain.

One of every 14 visits to the doctors and clinics were for symptoms of the flu. That’s the highest level since the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

Last week, 42 states reported high patient traffic for the flu, up from 39. Hospital stays because of the flu were also up.

According to the CDC, the flu is widespread in 48 states while two states — Oregon and Hawaii — do not have widespread flu activity.

The best protection against the flu is vaccination, and health officials have been stressing that it’s not too late to get a flu shot. A CDC spokesperson told Patch that as of Jan. 2, 152.1 million doses of the flu vaccine have been distributed. Private manufacturers who produce the vaccine originally predicted that as many as 166 million doses of injectable flu vaccine would be made available for the current flu season.

Vaccine shortages have been reported in some areas as the flu season drags on. The best way to find pharmacies providing the vaccine is to check at Vaccine Finder. The website reminds people to call and check with a vaccine provider location to ensure that the vaccine is available.

A representative for Vaccine Finder said the website does not offer a tool that shows whether the vaccine is available at a particular pharmacy; thus the warning notification on the website.

For more information, check out the Florida Flu Review

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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