What you need to know about the 20192020 flu season. Last years flu season was deadliest in decades, says cdc. An estimated 80,000 americans died of flu and its complications last winter. Antivirals, when started within 2 days of becoming ill, can lessen fever and flu. At least 0 people have died from the flu since october. Children 6 months through 8 years of age who need 2 doses should receive their.
In 2017, cdc began using new methodology to classify. Oct 23, 2018 flu season is imminent, and cdc continues to remind that everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated. In the united states, the centers for disease control and prevention cdc, tracks the flu activity through the year and produces weekly reports during the flu season months of october to may. It will usually end by april, but in some years it can linger into may. Flu vaccination has been shown to prevent flu illnesses, doctors visits and hospitalizations and can be lifesaving in children 20182019 u.
Flu report 20192020 flu season forecasts, stats, and. Even the cdc cannot precisely predict when and how flu season will start each. So far this season, influenza b victoria viruses have caused the most labconfirmed flu diagnoses, followed by influenza a h1n1 viruses, according to cdc data. The cdc says there have been 22 pediatric flu deaths so far this season, including three more children last week. Flu season deaths top 80,000 last year, cdc says cnn. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine yearly, preferably in the fall before the u. This season cdc estimates that, as of midmarch, between 29,000 and 59,000 have died due to. But flu season actually peaks sometime between december and march, frank esper.
Balancing issues regarding the difficulty in predicting when influenza outbreaks will occur with concerns about waning immunity during the flu season, especially in older adults, cdc recommends that vaccination should be offered by the end of october. Everyone 6 months and older needs a flu vaccine each year. In the us, the flu season starts in october and can go until early spring, with. You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination.
Flu season has come early this year due to a strain of the virus not typically seen during this time of year, according to the centers for disease control and prevention. According to the centers for disease control and prevention cdc, the median incubation period is estimated to be 4 to 5 days. The centers for disease control and prevention provided an update on flu activity this season from octobermiddecember 2016 in todays morbidity and mortality weekly report and noted a slow but steady increase in activity during november and early december, with influenza a h3n2 viruses predominating. Us flu cases increased by 4 million over the last week. The united states centers for disease control and prevention cdc began counting the 20172018 flu season as october 2017, and by early february 2018, the epidemic was still widespread and increasing overall. Sep 26, 2018 cdc officials called the 80,000 figure preliminary, and it may be slightly revised. As you are planning to get your family vaccinated this fall, remember that some children 6 months through 8 years of age require two doses of flu vaccine. There have been six years in the past where the peak was in march, for. To best protect yourself regardless of the specific timeframe, the centers for disease control and prevention cdc recommends getting vaccinated by the end of october.
For comparison, 36,560 people died in car accidents in 2018 in the united states. The cdc study looked at 4,112 people older than 6 months in michigan, pennsylvania, texas, washington, and. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of influenza flu. This season cdc estimates that, as of midmarch, between 29,000 and 59,000 have. Generally, the dates of flu season in the united states run from october to may, with a peak between december and february. Wate according to the centers for disease control and prevention, the number of influenzarelated deaths in the 20192020 season is on the rise. The 20172018 flu season was one of the deadliest in decades according to the cdc. Feb 28, 2020 this years flu shot doing better against the illness than last years did, cdc says. While influenza viruses circulate yearround, most of the time flu activity peaks between december and february, but activity can last as late as may. Flu shots work and can keep your child from getting sick. Jan 16, 2020 a vaccine mismatch and reduced immunity to influenza b may have contributed to the early and severe start of this flu season. Cdc recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine yearly. Last years flu season was the worst in many years, according to data released thursday by the centers for disease control and prevention cdc the cdc estimates at. Learn about flu season and get answers to questions.
The span of time in which the influenza virus is at its most contagious is widely referred to as flu season. Jan 16, 2020 will the rest of this flu season be just as bad. Information on how these estimates are calculated can be found on cdc s web page how cdc estimates the burden of seasonal influenza in the u. Its too soon to know whether the strains will be as bad as last year, but even when flu. Flu season generally spans the colder months because cold conditions are optimized for flu. Here is a breakdown of the peak months of flu activity over a 34year period between.
Jan 11, 2019 the cdc hasnt released data on the total number of deaths so far this season, saying 16 influenzaassociated pediatric deaths have been reported to the agency this season. In the united states, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. This flu season has come in two waves and has been particularly hard on children, the experts said. Dec 14, 2019 getty images according to the latest reports from the cdc, the 20192020 flu season is going to be one of the worst in recent history. Although you can get the flu anytime, flu season starts in october and can go as late as march and even april. These are the winter months for the southern hemisphere, which brings. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of. People who have not gotten a flu vaccine for the current season and are traveling to parts of the world where influenza activity is ongoing should get a. Shots health news though covid19 has captured the headlines, influenza places a huge burden on the health care system. The second wave offlu season is here and the cdc estimates that so far this season there have been at least 32 million flu illnesses and about 18,000 deaths from the flu. Flu season is imminent, and cdc continues to remind that everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated. Its hard to predict what will happen later in the season, brammer says, but she cautions that weeks, if not months, of flu season are still to come. Sep 26, 2018 the 20172018 flu season was one of the deadliest in decades according to the cdc.
It eclipses the estimates for every flu season going back to the. The cdc said that so far this season, about 20,000 people have died of the flu, including 6 children. Influenza or flu is a viral respiratory illness, mainly spread by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. A total of 64 influenzaassociated deaths in children have been reported so far this season. While the beginning of major flu activity in each season varies by location, in any. So far, 16,000 people have died and 280,000 people have been hospitalized during the 20192020 flu season, according to preliminary estimates from the cdc. The california department of public health cdph influenza surveillance program cisp is a collaborative effort between cdph, the centers for disease control and prevention cdc. The cdc s most recent flu report says that as of february 29, hospitalization rates among. The centers for disease control and prevention reported thursday that the overall effectiveness of the shot in the current flu season is 45 percent. Based on the current status of the flu season and the forecast for the rest of the month, the cdc is reminding americans that antiviral treatments are effective when initiated soon after onset of illness. Centers for disease control and prevention cdc s influenza division. Find information on coronavirus disease 2019 covid19. Flu season thats sickened 26 million may be at its peak.
Nearly a quarter of reported pediatric deaths this season have been in. In the southern hemisphere, however, where winter comes during our summer months, the flu season. Flu report 20192020 flu season forecasts, stats, and tips. Since fluassociated deaths in children became a nationally notifiable condition in 2004, the total number of fluassociated deaths among children during one season has ranged from 37 during the 20112012 season to 186 during the 201718 season, as of april 19, 2019. Flu is a nationally notifiable condition since 2004. In the southern hemisphere, however, where winter comes during our summer months, the flu season falls between june and september. It eclipses the estimates for every flu season going. The estimates below are not the final 20182019 cumulative season burden estimates.
At least 1,300 people have died from the flu so far this season, according to a preliminary estimate released friday by the us centers for disease control and prevention. This period generally occurs during the colder months of the year. Feb 21, 2020 despite those encouraging numbers, this seasons flu has been particularly hard on children, with kids dying this week, and 105 having died since the beginning of flu season, according to cdc. Cdcs active surveillance for laboratoryconfirmed hospitalizations for the 20182019 season concluded on april 30, 2018. Cdc releases interim flu vaccine effectiveness report. Flu season in the us, which runs from october through may, claims tens of thousands of lives every year. Flu deaths on the rise with 2,100 fatalities reported in.
This years influenza season has reached epidemic levels, according to a recent cdc briefing on current us flu activity. Although flu season is usually thought of as occurring in the winter, the severity and timing vary from year to year. Frequently asked flu questions 20182019 influenza season cdc. During this 36year period, flu activity most often peaked in february 15 seasons, followed by december 7 seasons, january 6 seasons and march 6. Time asked lynnette brammer, an epidemiologist who leads domestic surveillance for the u. Jan 15, 2020 w hile you can get the flu at any time during the year, the fall officially marks the beginning of the flu season, since cases of the flu start to rise in october, peak between december and. Ask the experts about influenza vaccines cdc experts answer. More children have died from flu at this point in the season than at any other time since the cdc began collecting pediatric death data in 2004, except for the 20092010 swine flu. Flu shot better than last year, despite tough season for kids. Flu season, in general, lasts from october to may, according to the centers for disease control and prevention cdc. Influenza activity can sometimes be predicted and even tracked geographically. Past seasons estimated influenza disease burden cdc. Oct 03, 2016 in the meantime, cdc and the american academy of pediatrics aap recommend flu shots this flu season, not the nasal spray flu vaccine. What you need to know about the 2020 flu season, and how to.
Flu has killed 20,000 americans so far this season. Cdc officials called the 80,000 figure preliminary, and it may be slightly revised. This year, the cdc reports this years flu season peak will likely occur between december and february. The cdc s most recent flu report says that as of february 29, hospitalization rates among children aged 4 and under were the highest on record at this point in the season. While the beginning of major flu activity in each season. Flu season typically falls sometime between the start of fall and the end of spring. Cdc hopes the coronavirus outbreak is seasonal like the flu and subsides in the summer published tue, feb 25 2020 2. Seasonal flu centers for disease control and prevention.
Serious outcomes of flu infection are hospitalization or death. People who have not gotten a flu vaccine for the current season. Aug 22, 2019 flu season, in general, lasts from october to may, according to the centers for disease control and prevention cdc. Mar 29, 2019 it will still be weeks before flu drops to levels needed for the cdc to declare the season over. The preliminary cumulative burden estimates for the 20182019 season will be released september 26, 2019. Florida is currently experiencing a moderately severe influenza season. Flu viruses are most common during the winter months in the u. By february 2018, the cdc said that the circulating virus strains included both b strains yamagata and victoria, h1n1 and h3n2. Five things you need to know about flu season blogs cdc. When is flu season and why there is a flu season in the first place. For the 20192020 flu season, cdc is offering additional guidance on timing of flu vaccination for both adults and children. Jan 31, 2020 the weekly report comes as flu deaths across the country jumped to 10,000, according to the cdc.
The season generally reaches its peak in february and ends in march 2. Flu season comes early this year due to unexpected virus. In the 201617 season, there were an estimated 29 million flu cases in the united states. Cdc estimates that so far this season there have been 9. The flu vaccine for the 20192020 season has been formulated to protect against both h1n1 and h3n2, the two strains that dominated last years flu season, as well as other. In the united states, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months. The 20092010 flu season began very early, with 2009 h1n1 viruses predominating and causing high levels of flu activity much earlier in the year than during most regular flu. Everyone six months of age or older needs a flu vaccine. Flu deaths rise to 2,100 nationwide in 2019 cbs detroit. Here is a breakdown of the peak months of flu activity over a 34year period.
Flu vaccine a better match this year against prevailing. Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. The 20172018 influenza season was a high severity season with high levels of outpatient clinic and emergency department visits for influenzalike illness ili, high influenzarelated hospitalization rates, and elevated and geographically widespread influenza activity for an extended period. In the briefing, cdc director brenda fitzgerald, md, indicated that while influenza surveillance systems suggest that the flu season may be peaking in these recent weeks, it will likely take several more weeks before influenza activity slows down. Flu shot better than last year, despite tough season for. Flu influenza disease directory travelers health cdc.
The 20182019 flu season was the longest in 10 years, lasting 21 weeks, according to the cdc. An updated graph from the cdc, released at the end of last month, also shows the number of reported flu cases growing at a similar rate to the deadly 20172018 season. Feb 21, 2020 healthday news its been overshadowed by the new coronavirus outbreak in china, but this years flu season could be near its peak after surging throughout the united states for months. What will the rest of the 20192020 flu season be like. Information on how these estimates are calculated can be found on. The preliminary cumulative burden estimates for the 20182019 season will be released later this fall. The season started early, in october, with an unusual wave of influenza b virus.
Flu season generally spans the colder months because cold conditions are optimized for flu virus survival and. Cdc hopes the coronavirus outbreak is seasonal like the. The season occurs during the cold half of the year in each hemisphere. We are just over two months into the 20192020 flu season, and so far a staggering amount of people have lost their lives due to the highly contagious virus. About 7 million have been sick with the flu so far this. Nationally, influenza b viruses have been most common so far this season followed by influenza a h1n1 viruses. For the past three decades, flu activity has peaked at some point between the months of october and february but always tapers off by april. Like last season, cdc and acip recommend that vaccination be offered by the end of october. In the southern hemisphere, the flu season runs from may until september. The centers for disease control and prevention cdc points out that the timing, severity, and length of the flu season varies from year to year. Flu reports california department of public health.
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