NYC Flu Cases Spike As Virus Continues To Spread

NEW YORK — The number of New Yorkers sickened by the flu rose by more than a third last week as much of the nation grappled with the virus, new health figures show. Some 1,650 flu cases were reported in New York City in the week ending Dec. 29, up from 1,200 the week before, according to state Department of Health statistics.

Those accounted for more than half the 3,154 cases recorded across the state last week. That figure reflects a staggering 49.1 percent spike from the prior week. Some 539 cases were reported in Queens alone, more than any other county in the state, statistics show.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, widespread flu activity was reported in 24 states last week, including New York. The remaining states reported regional, local or sporadic flu activity. The geographic spread of flu activity does not measure the severity of the virus.

At least 13 children nationwide — and one in New York City — have died so far this flu season, health officials say.

The flu can cause serious illness, hospitalization and death. The groups most at risk are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions, according to the CDC.

The A(H1N1) viruses have predominated in most parts of the country, but the A(H3N2) viruses have predominated in the southeastern U.S. The CDC says it is too soon to assess how severe this flu season will be, but since the H1N1 virus emerged in 2009 it has been associated with significant illness and severe illness among young children.

While the length of a flu season can vary, the average flu season over the last five years has lasted 16 weeks. When the current flu season began on Dec. 15, 2018, the CDC said it expects that elevated flu activity will continue for weeks and advised that it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

The CDC says that during most seasons, about 80 percent of children who die are not vaccinated. The agency cited a study that says the vaccine reduces the risk of death among healthy children by 65 percent and among children with a high-risk condition by 50 percent.

It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to provide protection against the flu. You can find more information about the flu vaccine and its benefits here. And New Yorkers can find a place to get a shot on this map.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (Though not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

(Lead image: A registered nurse prepares to administer a flu shot in Decatur, Georgia on Feb. 5, 2018. Photo by David Goldman/Associated Press)