US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Reports Flu Cases Spreading; CDC Announces Increase in Flu-related Deaths

Federal health officials report that flu activity in the US is rising with a number of cases leading to deaths. While the flu-related deaths are rising, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that it hasn't reach a level that is considered epidemic.

According WebMD, the very young, elderly, the chronically ill, and pregnant women are the people most susceptible to the flu virus spreading in the country. The CDC suggests that the people mentioned above should get flu shots to protect themselves against the flu virus that is now being reported increasing in the middle sections of the United States.

Last January 20, 2017, Lynette Brammer, an epidemiologist at the CDC, says that the flu activity is increasing, albeit slowly. The CDC is keeping a close eye on child death as children are hit the hardest by flu viruses. According to Brammer, flu-related deaths in children have risen to 5 after two children died this week.

The CDC reports that outpatient consultations for influenza-like-illnesses have also risen above the national baseline and the institution expects the flu activity to continue to rise in the coming weeks. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older to reduce flu illnesses and flu-related hospitalizations.

The CDC urges immediate treatment for people who are sick with flu or people who are at high risk of flu illnesses. Health Day suggests that taking antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective in preventing the spread of flu viruses if taken early.

Besides the very young, elderly, the chronically ill, and pregnant women, the CDC recommends mothers of newborns to get a flu shot to protect their infants who can't be vaccinated before they reach 6 months. The CDC also recommends the extra-strength vaccine to people 65 years-old or older. The extra-strength vaccine has two types including the high-dose vaccine and adjuvanted vaccine.

According to the CDC, a total of 128 children died last year due to flu-related complications. CDC's Brammer H3N2 continues to be the dominant strain of flu while the H1N1 and the B viruses are still circulating. For more information on flu and the current flu activity in the U.S., visit the CDC website.