CNN
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US health officials have become increasingly concerned about this year’s flu season and have already seen signs that the virus is spreading.
As the 2022-2023 flu season kicks off, one high school in California is facing “massive absenteeism” due to possible flu. Influenza activity in the United States It often starts increasing in October and usually peaks between December and February.
Samer Nagy, a spokesperson for the San Diego Unified School District, said in an email to CNN on Thursday, “We can confirm that there are a large number of absentees at Henry High School due to a possible flu. On Wednesday, 2,600 About 1,000 of the 1,000 students were absent.
“So far, COVID tests have been negative, but some students have tested positive for the flu,” Nagy said. “Typical signs and symptoms include coughing, sore throat, These include a runny nose, fever, and other symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection.We are in close contact with San Diego County Public Health.”
The San Diego County Public Health Department confirmed to CNN: Outbreak investigation Similar to Del Norte High School in Poway, California, an increase in respiratory and flu-like symptoms among students at Patrick Henry High School.
“Nearly 400 students at Del Norte High School[in the Poway Unified School District]were absent yesterday and Tuesday with cold and flu-like symptoms,” Poway Unified School District spokesperson Christine Paik said Wednesday. told CNN. “Health officials say cold/flu season is definitely here and the hit to schools is even more acute as COVID restrictions are no longer in place.”
The San Diego County Public Health Department announced Wednesday that it is “premature” to determine the cause of the outbreak and that the county is evaluating it.
“We’re coordinating with local school districts and investigating with other school campuses to understand why so many students are taking part,” Dr. Cameron Kaiser, the county’s deputy public health officer, said in a statement Wednesday. We are investigating whether it was affected suddenly.
“Unfortunately, we expect this to be a tough flu season, and alongside COVID-19, other respiratory viruses are making a rapid comeback,” Kaiser said. “If you have not yet been vaccinated against flu or COVID-19, now is the time to get vaccinated for additional protection from the vaccine.”
An initial increase in seasonal influenza activity has been reported in most parts of the United States, with the southeastern and south-central regions of the country reporting the highest levels of influenza. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionMore than 1,000 patients have been hospitalized with the flu this week, officials said.
“Nationwide, the proportion of specimens testing positive for influenza in clinical laboratories is increasing. I write about it in my weekly flu report.
Current influenza activity is still low overall, CDC report found increased activity in most of the country.
According to a new report, 3.3% of respiratory specimens sent to clinical laboratories this week were positive for influenza. This is a leap from 0.1% of positive samples last year and 0.2% of positive samples in 2020.
However, new data suggest the country may be returning to pre-coronavirus levels of influenza, as 3.1% of specimens were reported to have tested positive for influenza around this time in 2019. I’m here.
A new CDC report also says 1,322 patients have been hospitalized with the flu this week, and three children have died this week from flu-related illnesses.
Overall, influenza A(H3N2) was the most frequently reported influenza virus this week, and 2.6% of outpatient visits to health care facilities were associated with respiratory illness, including fever plus symptoms such as cough and sore throat. It was for This is above the national baseline of 2.5%.
“The annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the flu. Vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious consequences for people who do get sick with the flu despite being vaccinated.” .
“The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October. Prescription flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat flu illness There are also, and they need to start as soon as possible.”
While it can be difficult to predict what flu activity will look like in any given year, doctors are preparing for a “very important” flu season, says the infectious disease division at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. William Schaffner, professor and medical director of of the National Infectious Diseases Foundation.
“I’m afraid we’re going to have a very big flu season this year, very different from the last two seasons,” he said.
This summer saw the first signs of increased influenza activity in the Southern Hemisphere. As more people in the northern hemisphere relax COVID-19 restrictions and return to socializing in large groups without wearing masks, cases of influenza have been reported. It is unusual for so many cases to spread so early in the flu season.
“It’s mid-October, not mid-November. There are already scattered flu cases across the country, and some hospitalizations,” said the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which tracks flu cases in hospitals. .
“So we know this virus is already spreading in the community. It’s already accelerating. It looks like it’s about a month early,” Schaffner said.
In early 2020, the flu nearly disappeared in the United States when people began quarantining, social distancing, and masking to slow the spread of Covid-19. As a result, most people have not been exposed to influenza for several years and may have reduced immunity to the influenza virus, underscoring the need for vaccination.
U.S. health officials are encouraging people to get their flu shots as soon as possible, said Adriane Casalotti, director of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials.
“There is definitely a movement right now to push flu vaccination to the top of people’s priority list. We are all worried to see what is happening in Australia’s southern hemisphere,” Casalotti said.
Officials are concerned because Covid-19 and other common respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, could surge this winter. is increasing.
Casarotti said a flu epidemic could have a significant impact on communities, especially as flu symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from Covid-19, cold, or allergy symptoms. .
“Influenza has already started to spread in some areas,” Casarotti said. “Overall, influenza activity is low nationwide, but is beginning to increase, especially in the Southeast.”
In August, amid growing concerns about the upcoming flu season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Immunization Advisory Board issued the following statement: Reports update to seasonal flu vaccination recommendations for this year.
Older adults typically receive higher doses of influenza vaccine than younger adults, but in the latest update, ACIP recommends that adults 65 years and older should “prioritize” high-dose or adjuvant influenza vaccines. I’m here.
“There are three flu vaccines that have been shown to be more effective in people over the age of 65,” said ACIP contact person Schaffner. There is another vaccine that contains, and the third is a recombinant vaccine.” recombinant influenza vaccine Influenza viruses and chicken eggs are not involved in the manufacturing process.
“If you look back at people over 65 from the previous season, 80% had already received one of these three vaccines,” he said. “What is new this year is that the ACIP has made a clear priority recommendation. , says it will only use the regular vaccine if one is not available.”
Overall, the CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone over the age of 6 months, especially those who may be pregnant.
“There are additional benefits,” he said. “So some of the antibodies made in response to the vaccine cross the placenta and into the newborn baby. You can receive it.
