Flu deaths in US reach 1,300 with another 23K hospitalized, CDC estimates

December 18, 2019

This article appeared in the New York Post. Read the full story here.

Some 1,300 people across the United States have died of the flu so far this year, according to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates.

In a report released Friday, federal health officials said there have been at least 2.6 million flu illnesses this year and 23,000 hospitalizations.

Flu activity has been reported across the country, but some states — namely Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington — have reported “high” flu activity levels. Puerto Rico has seen high flu activity as well.

Most of the illnesses this year have been caused by the influenza B/ Victoria viruses, which the CDC said is “unusual for this time of year.” This strain is most commonly reported among children 4 years of age or younger, according to the report.

“It’s not too late to get vaccinated,” said health officials. “Flu vaccination is always the best way to prevent [the] flu and its potentially serious complications.”

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Flu deaths in US reach 1,300 with another 23K hospitalized, CDC estimates

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