Unusually Strong Flu Virus Sweeps SoCal: Report

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A surge in serious flu cases across Southern California in recent weeks has been due in part to an unusually potent strain of influenza B, which has sickened scores of Californians and sent many to the hospital.

A total of 16 Californians have died from the flu in the New Year alone, with 70 deaths reported statewide since the flu season started on Sept. 29.

The strong B-strain virus has taken a particular toll on children, with 32 pediatric deaths reported this season, ABC7 reported, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This season's vaccine may be somewhat ineffective at preventing the B-strain, since the two are not a perfect match, a CDC report last week found. Still, the CDC says it's worth getting vaccinated, as the two are similar enough to still offer some real protection.

Elevated flu activity has been reported across California, according to CDC data, with the B-strain predominating but A-strain viruses also circulating.

"Influenza activity in California continues to increase," a spokesman for the California Department of Public Health told Patch. "Since influenza is unpredictable, we do not know how long the high level of activity will last and what the overall severity level of the season might ultimately be."

The flu season is likely to last for at least several more weeks, meaning it's still worthwhile to get vaccinated before the season ends.

There have been at least 9.7 million flu cases nationwide this season, including 87,000 hospitalizations and 4,800 deaths, the CDC reported.

People most at risk of the flu are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions, according to the CDC. In California, the majority of flu deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older.