According to data published by the centers for disease control and prevention, the US lives its worst flu season in at least 15 years.
The winter virus season in the United States is in its peak and, according to a measure, is the most intense in 15 years.
An indicator of flu activity is the percentage of visits to medical offices motivated by symptoms similar to those of the flu. Last week, that number was clearly higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010, according to data published Friday by the centers for disease control and prevention.
Of course, other viral infections can be confused with the flu. But COVID-19 seems to be in decline, according to hospital data and projections of the CDC. The available data also suggest that another respiratory disease, the VSR, has been decreasing.
The flu has forced the closure of schools in some states. The Godley Independent School District, a system of 3,200 students near Fort Worth, Texas, closed for three days last week after 650 students and 60 employees were missing on Tuesday.
Jeff Meador, a district spokesman, described him as the worst flu season he could remember.
Until now this season, CDC estimate that there have been at least 24 million flu diseases, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths, including at least 57 children. Traditionally, the peak of the flu season is around February.
In general, 43 states reported a high or very high flu activity last week. The flu was more intense in the south, southwest and Western states.
The CDC refused to allow an Associated Press reporter to talk to an agency flu expert. The administration of President Donald Trump ordered a temporary “pause” in the communications of health agencies and has continued to deny interview requests that were routinely granted in the past.
The United States health officials recommend that all people six months and older be vaccinated annually against the flu.
About 44 % of adults were vaccinated against the flu this winter, as well as last winter. But children's vaccinations have decreased a lot: about 45 % this winter when they are usually about 50 %.
About 23 % of adults in the United States were up to date with their Vaccines against COVID-19 at the end of January, an increase from approximately 20 % in the same point of the previous year. Vaccination rates against COVID-19 for children were approximately the same, around 12 %.
The government has not yet informed its estimates about the efficacy of the flu vaccine this season.
The results of the patient tests indicate that two seasonal flu strains that most diseases are causing – a type A H1N1 and a type to H3N2. Health officials are closely observing a third strain – an aviar flu known as H5N1 type – which has ill to dozens of millions of animals, but only 67 people in the United States according to known data.
To avoid seasonal viruses, doctors recommend not touching their eyes, nose and mouth because germs can spread that way. Also wash your hands with soap and water, clean the surfaces that are frequently touched and avoid close contact with sick people.