This yr’s flu season is off to a lethal begin.
Over 900 folks have died from influenza because the starting of October in California, greater than have died at this level in any of the final six respiratory virus seasons, in line with a report launched Friday by the California Division of Public Well being.
1 / 4 of these deaths have been amongst folks beneath 65 years previous. Older people are typically probably the most in danger, with about 700 folks 65 and older dying to date this yr from the widespread virus. However a minimum of 15 kids have additionally succumbed to the flu, together with 4 youngsters in San Diego County, elevating issues.
When in comparison with the info reported over the course of earlier flu seasons, the toll this yr has already exploded previous the totals from the final a number of flu seasons.
At this level of the season, Week 7, there have been about 500 deaths final season, and 600 the yr earlier than, however in each of these seasons the deaths had already began to plateau by mid-February. This yr, the variety of deaths has but to point out indicators of slowing.
“It’s a surprise” mentioned Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco professor of drugs who makes a speciality of infectious ailments. He mentioned it was projected to be a median season, however it’s turning out to be something however. And with check positivity charges nonetheless excessive, there are a minimum of a couple of weeks left of the virus’s sending folks to the hospital earlier than it retreats for its annual hibernation, which normally begins as spring turns to summer time.
“It is surprising, first of all that we didn’t see much COVID, and secondly that we saw a lot of flu,” Chin-Hong mentioned. “And not just flu — bad flu which is making people seriously ill.”
He mentioned it will be important for folks to know that regardless of its being late within the typical virus season, it’s not too late to get vaccinated in opposition to influenza, whether or not they have had one pressure already or not. Chin-Hong additionally desires to remind folks of the antivirals obtainable to fight the worst outcomes.
Tamiflu, an antiviral used to deal with the flu, may also be used prophylactically to forestall the unfold of the virus inside a family, and Chin-Hong would suggest those that reside with aged or at-risk relations to ask their physician about it.
“The last really bad flu season was in 2009, for swine flu,” Chin-Hong mentioned, “since then it has kind of been regular flu seasons, until this year.”
