Flu Level Widespread Across Virginia And DC, No Deaths Reported

WASHINGTON, DC — The flu virus has been classified as widespread in 49 states, including Virginia, according to state health officials. At least 41 children have died from flu-related causes nationwide, with seven child deaths reported in the week ending on Feb. 16, according to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No deaths from the flu have been reported in Virginia.

Flu activity continues to increase and, with the exception of West Virginia, the disease is now widespread in every state, including Virginia and the District of Columbia The H1N1 virus (swine flu) continues to be the predominant strain in most of the country, while the H3N2 virus is most prevalent in the Southeast. FDA Director Scott Gottlieb has said the H1N1 strain tends to peak late in the season but that the vaccine to protect against it has an effectiveness of 60 percent or greater.

Early estimates from the CDC found that by mid-November 2018, 45.6 percent of children aged between 6 months to 17 years old had been vaccinated against the flu, an increase of 6.8 percent compared to early estimates from the previous season. For adults 18 and older, the CDC’s estimates showed that by mid-November, 44.9 percent had been vaccinated against the flu, an increase of 6.4 percent compared to early estimates from the previous season.

The latest figures released by the CDC on Friday are current for the week ending Feb. 16. Between Oct. 1, 2018, through Feb.16, the CDC estimates there have been between 17.7 million to 20.4 million flu illnesses in the United States, 8.2 million to 9.6 million flu-related medical visits and between 214,000-256,000 flu hospitalizations.

Flu activity is "high" and widespread across the state, according to the Virginia Department of Health's latest flu surveillance report. There have been no pediatric deaths so far this flu season; the agency’s latest influenza report, which was issued Feb. 16, says.

The District of Columbia Department of Health said 133 new cases of influenza were reported by hospitals between Feb. 10 and 16, the most recent data available. Zero pediatric deaths were reported.

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.

These are the symptoms of the flu:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (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 (more common in children than adults)

Health officials say it's not too late to get vaccinated.

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.

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

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

— By Patch editors Feroze Dhanoa and Elizabeth Janney