Flu Activity Jumps In NoVA, DC; 255 Deaths At End Of 2019

WASHINGTON, DC— Nationwide, the flu season went into overdrive with a spike in the final week of the year. In Virginia alone, a total of 255 deaths have been confirmed in the state this flu season from pneumonia and influenza, according to the Virginia Department of Health. No pediatric deaths from the flu have been recorded in the Commonwealth.

In the District of Columbia, 371 new cases of influenza were reported by hospitals between Dec. 22 and 28. No pediatric deaths were reported during that time.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported a dramatic spike in flu cases nationwide during the last week of December. Government health officials say 2019 total flu cases through Dec. 28 led to at least 6.4 million illnesses, 55,000 hospitalizations and 2,900 deaths.

For comparison, the CDC reported a total of 4.6 million illnesses, 39,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths in its weekly report ending on Dec. 21.

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 varies by region and age group. The geographic spread of flu activity does not measure the severity of the virus, but seasonal influenza activity throughout the nation has been climbing for seven weeks in a row.

The latest data from the agency shows that the virus has been widespread or striking regionally in 45 states, including Virginia and the District. In every region of the state, flu activity is high, and outbreaks began ramping up in early December, according to state health officials.

The groups 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.

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
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

There are everyday steps you can take to stop the spread of influenza:

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible with others to keep from infecting them.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medications) except to get medical care or for other necessities.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to provide protection against the flu. You can find more information about the flu vaccine and its benefits here.