‘Unusual’ Start To Flu Season: 5 Flu Deaths Reported In NC

NORTH CAROLINA — The flu season is off to an “unusual” start and government health officials say it has already been blamed for over a thousand deaths, including 10 children. There’s a high chance activity will peak in late December though the worst could come anytime between the end of the year and February, according to flu season forecasts.

In North Carolina, five flu-related deaths have been reported since the season began Sept. 29, according to state public health officials.

So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most illnesses are the result of the influenza B/Victoria viruses, which the agency said is unusual for this time of the year. The next most common virus in circulation is the A/H1N1 and it’s increasing in proportion relative to other viruses in some regions.

The latest data from the agency — current as of the week ending Dec. 6 — shows that the virus is widespread in 23 states, including North Carolina. Regional activity was reported in 14 states, and Puerto Rico while 12 states, were described as having local activity. In Alaska and the District of Columbia, flu activity was sporadic.

The geographic spread of flu activity does not measure the severity of the virus.

The CDC’s influenza-like-illness (ILI) surveillance measures the level of flu activity within a state. According to the latest data, flu activity is high in 11 states and Puerto Rico. Moderate activity was reported in New York City and 11 other states. Nine states, including North Carolina, and the District of Columbia had low activity while 18 states, had minimal activity.

The flu can cause serious illness, hospitalization and death. The groups most at risk are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions, according to the CDC.

You can use the CDC’s flu vaccine finder to locate a pharmacy or clinic near you that provides the vaccine:

According to the CDC, symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (though not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults