Severe Flu Season: A Concerning Surge in Cases

Severe Flu Season: A Concerning Surge in Cases image
After several years of mild to moderate flu seasons, this year’s flu season is the most severe in many years.

National Impact
  • Record High Illness Rates: The percentage of outpatient and emergency department visits for influenza-like illness has reached 7.8%, the highest recorded since the 1997–98 flu season.
  • Widespread Illness and Mortality: So far, the flu has contributed to 33 million illnesses, 430,000 hospitalizations, and 19,000 deaths in the U.S., including 86 children.
  • CDC Classification: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated this as a high-severity flu season across all age groups.
Local Impact in Rhode Island
  • Emergency room visits due to influenza-like illness have peaked higher than the past seven flu seasons.
  • Hospitalizations have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels from the 2019–2020 season.
  • 13 influenza-associated deaths have been reported in Rhode Island so far this season.
Impact on Care New England
  • The number of patients hospitalized with influenza is more than double compared to last year.
Why Is This Flu Season So Severe?
Several factors likely contribute to the severity of this flu season:
  • Flu A Dominance: The predominant circulating strain, Flu A, is known to cause more severe illness.
  • Vaccine Effectiveness Challenges:
    • Of the two main Flu A strains circulating (H1N1 and H3N2), H3N2 is more prone to antigenic changes, which can reduce vaccine effectiveness.
    • Vaccine protection appears to be modest, based on effectiveness estimates from the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Low Vaccination Rates: Rhode Island’s flu vaccination rate is currently 34%, leaving a significant portion of the population vulnerable.
How to Protect Yourself and Others
There are effective ways to prevent flu transmission and reduce the severity of illness:
✅ Get vaccinated! The flu vaccine remains the best defense against severe illness. It’s not too late—flu will be circulating for weeks to come.
🏠 Stay home if you are sick! Avoid going to work or public places if you have flu symptoms to prevent spreading the virus.
🧼 Wash your hands frequently to reduce the spread of germs.
😷 Avoid close contact with sick individuals. If necessary, wear a mask when around those who are ill at home or in the community.

Taking these precautions can help protect you, your family, and your community during this high-severity flu season. Stay informed and stay healthy!