Flu Activity In Connecticut Continues to Increase

HARTFORD, CT — The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) has released the 2017-2018 Influenza Season Update for the week ending Jan. 27. According to this week’s update, flu activity in Connecticut remains high and widespread, with an increasing number of patients presenting with flu symptoms, as well as increasing numbers of flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths.

A total of 1,154 patients have been hospitalized with confirmed cases of flu between Aug. 27, 2017 and Jan. 27, 2018. 52 deaths have been attributed to the flu (41 associated with flu A, 11 with flu B) so far this season. Of these deaths, 44 were among patients over the age of 65, four were 50-64 years of age, three were 25-49 years of age, and one was between 5-17 years of age.

A total of 2,996 influenza positive laboratory tests have been reported so far this season. The breakdown by county:

• Fairfield, 812
• New Haven, 802
• Hartford, 764
• Middlesex, 202
• New London, 160
• Litchfield, 98
• Windham, 84
• Tolland, 74

Of the 2,996 positive influenza reports: 1,949 were Type A (subtype unspecified), 534 were Type A (H3N2), 35 were Type A (2009 H1N1), 476 were influenza B viruses, and two of unknown type (Figures 6 & 7).

“We have heard from individuals concerned about reports of a shortage of rapid flu tests. This is not surprising for this time in the flu season, especially with the volume of patients presenting with flu symptoms. Fortunately, our hospitals have other ways to test patients hospitalized with severe symptoms of influenza,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino.

“With the peak of flu season potentially still several weeks away, it is still not too late to get a flu shot,” Pino added. “However, it takes two weeks from the time of the shot to develop the antibodies needed to fight the flu, so I urge anyone who has not received a flu shot to do it as soon as possible in order to be fully protected for the remainder of this season.”

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