Flu Season In Full Swing Going Into 2020: Latest In Washington

Flu season is underway, and all regions of the country are seeing elevated levels of the illness. Government health officials say there have already been at least 4.6 million illnesses, 39,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths from the flu.

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 year. The next most-common virus in circulation is the A/H1N1, and it’s increasing in proportion relative to other influenza viruses in some regions.

The latest data from the agency — current as of the week ending Dec. 21 — shows that the virus is widespread in 39 states, including Washington.

The geographic spread of flu activity does not measure the severity of the virus, but seasonal influenza activity throughout the nation has now been elevated for seven weeks in a row.

The CDC’s surveillance of influenza-like-illness measures the level of flu activity within a state. According to the latest data, flu activity is high in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, New York City and 25 states, including Washington. Moderate activity was reported in six states, nine states had low activitym and six states had minimal activity. Data were insufficient to calculate an activity level in Alaska, Florida, Idaho and North Dakota.

The flu can lead to 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.

According to the latest update from the Washington Department of Health, our state has recorded 11 lab-confirmed deaths linked to the flu so far this season, including nine adults and two children. Flu activity in Washington is considered elevated and increasing.

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.