CDC: Flu season rivals severity of 2014

The CDC increased the number of reported pediatric deaths in the U.S. attributed to the flu, bringing the 2017-18 seasonal flu season death toll to 37. 

The CDC warns the number could grow in the coming weeks.

Overall, the age group most impacted by this year’s flu is seniors over 65. Children are usually second, but this year, adults age 50-64 take the second spot.  

The CDC’s director of the influenza division, Dr. Dan Jernigan, says the H3N2 strain is the cause of many of this year’s severe cases.

However, the majority of cases among adults 50-64 years old is attributed to the H1N1 strain.

Dr. Jernigan says baby boomers may be suffering more because they are often at the peak of their careers and vaccination rates tend to be lower. 

There may also be less immunity to H1N1 stemming from childhood.

Studies suggest the first virus strain you are exposed to as a child may set the stage for future responses during your lifetime. Because H1N1 circulated prior to 1947, those born after that time may have more difficulty fighting the illness. 

However, Dr. Jernigan says vaccination effectiveness for the H1N1 strain is generally higher than it is for H3N2.

The CDC says it is also seeing hospitalization rates increases in 18 to 49-year-olds, also due in part to H1N1.

Overall, 2017-18 seems to be comparable to the 2014-15 season. That year resulted in an estimated 34 million cases of flu, 148 pediatric deaths, 700,000 hospitalizations, and 16 million visits to doctors and emergency rooms.

But when it comes to reports of visits to health care providers for influenza-like illnesses, this season is already exceeding 2014. The numbers are more similar to the 2009 swine flu pandemic.

While flu deaths have risen sharply, the death rate has not yet reached 2014 levels.

Flu season typically lasts 20 weeks. On January 26, we are nine weeks in. That’s why the CDC continues to recommend getting the vaccine.