The flu vaccine for the 20192020 season has been formulated to protect against both h1n1 and h3n2, the two strains that dominated last years flu season, as well as other. Flu is a nationally notifiable condition since 2004. In the southern hemisphere, the flu season runs from may until september. In the united states, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months.
More children have died from flu at this point in the season than at any other time since the cdc began collecting pediatric death data in 2004, except for the 20092010 swine flu. While the beginning of major flu activity in each season varies by location, in any. Five things you need to know about flu season blogs cdc. The cdc said that so far this season, about 20,000 people have died of the flu, including 6 children. This season cdc estimates that, as of midmarch, between 29,000 and 59,000 have. The estimates below are not the final 20182019 cumulative season burden estimates. Jan 11, 2019 the cdc hasnt released data on the total number of deaths so far this season, saying 16 influenzaassociated pediatric deaths have been reported to the agency this season. Aug 22, 2019 flu season, in general, lasts from october to may, according to the centers for disease control and prevention cdc. Influenza or flu is a viral respiratory illness, mainly spread by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. The second wave offlu season is here and the cdc estimates that so far this season there have been at least 32 million flu illnesses and about 18,000 deaths from the flu. Feb 21, 2020 despite those encouraging numbers, this seasons flu has been particularly hard on children, with kids dying this week, and 105 having died since the beginning of flu season, according to cdc. Flu viruses are most common during the winter months in the u. Learn about flu season and get answers to questions.
The season started early, in october, with an unusual wave of influenza b virus. Cdc releases interim flu vaccine effectiveness report. Flu shot better than last year, despite tough season for kids. Here is a breakdown of the peak months of flu activity over a 34year period. This season cdc estimates that, as of midmarch, between 29,000 and 59,000 have died due to. Seasonal flu centers for disease control and prevention. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of.
By february 2018, the cdc said that the circulating virus strains included both b strains yamagata and victoria, h1n1 and h3n2. The 20092010 flu season began very early, with 2009 h1n1 viruses predominating and causing high levels of flu activity much earlier in the year than during most regular flu. While influenza viruses circulate yearround, most of the time flu activity peaks between december and february, but activity can last as late as may. In the 201617 season, there were an estimated 29 million flu cases in the united states. The cdc says there have been 22 pediatric flu deaths so far this season, including three more children last week.
Dec 14, 2019 getty images according to the latest reports from the cdc, the 20192020 flu season is going to be one of the worst in recent history. The 20182019 flu season was the longest in 10 years, lasting 21 weeks, according to the cdc. Flu deaths rise to 2,100 nationwide in 2019 cbs detroit. In the united states, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Antivirals, when started within 2 days of becoming ill, can lessen fever and flu. Influenza activity can sometimes be predicted and even tracked geographically. Nearly a quarter of reported pediatric deaths this season have been in. Frequently asked flu questions 20182019 influenza season cdc. The span of time in which the influenza virus is at its most contagious is widely referred to as flu season. These are the winter months for the southern hemisphere, which brings.
A total of 64 influenzaassociated deaths in children have been reported so far this season. Feb 28, 2020 this years flu shot doing better against the illness than last years did, cdc says. To best protect yourself regardless of the specific timeframe, the centers for disease control and prevention cdc recommends getting vaccinated by the end of october. In the southern hemisphere, however, where winter comes during our summer months, the flu season. You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. For the 20192020 flu season, cdc is offering additional guidance on timing of flu vaccination for both adults and children.
Everyone six months of age or older needs a flu vaccine. Although you can get the flu anytime, flu season starts in october and can go as late as march and even april. In other words, theres still time to get a flu shot if you havent done so already, brammer said. Although flu season is usually thought of as occurring in the winter, the severity and timing vary from year to year. At least 0 people have died from the flu since october. The preliminary cumulative burden estimates for the 20182019 season will be released september 26, 2019.
Since fluassociated deaths in children became a nationally notifiable condition in 2004, the total number of fluassociated deaths among children during one season has ranged from 37 during the 20112012 season to 186 during the 201718 season, as of april 19, 2019. There have been six years in the past where the peak was in march, for. The centers for disease control and prevention reported thursday that the overall effectiveness of the shot in the current flu season is 45 percent. Florida is currently experiencing a moderately severe influenza season. As you are planning to get your family vaccinated this fall, remember that some children 6 months through 8 years of age require two doses of flu vaccine. Centers for disease control and prevention cdc s influenza division. At least 1,300 people have died from the flu so far this season, according to a preliminary estimate released friday by the us centers for disease control and prevention. This flu season has come in two waves and has been particularly hard on children, the experts said.
Information on how these estimates are calculated can be found on. The season generally reaches its peak in february and ends in march 2. Jan 31, 2020 the weekly report comes as flu deaths across the country jumped to 10,000, according to the cdc. This period generally occurs during the colder months of the year. Flu vaccination has been shown to prevent flu illnesses, doctors visits and hospitalizations and can be lifesaving in children 20182019 u. Flu shot better than last year, despite tough season for. This years influenza season has reached epidemic levels, according to a recent cdc briefing on current us flu activity. For comparison, 36,560 people died in car accidents in 2018 in the united states. What you need to know about the 20192020 flu season.
During this 36year period, flu activity most often peaked in february 15 seasons, followed by december 7 seasons, january 6 seasons and march 6. Cdc hopes the coronavirus outbreak is seasonal like the flu and subsides in the summer published tue, feb 25 2020 2. The season occurs during the cold half of the year in each hemisphere. Flu influenza disease directory travelers health cdc. The 20172018 flu season was one of the deadliest in decades according to the cdc. Cdcs active surveillance for laboratoryconfirmed hospitalizations for the 20182019 season concluded on april 30, 2018. It eclipses the estimates for every flu season going back to the. Flu season has come early this year due to a strain of the virus not typically seen during this time of year, according to the centers for disease control and prevention. Based on the current status of the flu season and the forecast for the rest of the month, the cdc is reminding americans that antiviral treatments are effective when initiated soon after onset of illness. Flu report 20192020 flu season forecasts, stats, and.
Jan 16, 2020 a vaccine mismatch and reduced immunity to influenza b may have contributed to the early and severe start of this flu season. People who have not gotten a flu vaccine for the current season and are traveling to parts of the world where influenza activity is ongoing should get a. Shots health news though covid19 has captured the headlines, influenza places a huge burden on the health care system. Us flu cases increased by 4 million over the last week. Its too soon to know whether the strains will be as bad as last year, but even when flu. The cdc s most recent flu report says that as of february 29, hospitalization rates among children aged 4 and under were the highest on record at this point in the season. The california department of public health cdph influenza surveillance program cisp is a collaborative effort between cdph, the centers for disease control and prevention cdc. Balancing issues regarding the difficulty in predicting when influenza outbreaks will occur with concerns about waning immunity during the flu season, especially in older adults, cdc recommends that vaccination should be offered by the end of october. Sep 26, 2018 cdc officials called the 80,000 figure preliminary, and it may be slightly revised. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine yearly, preferably in the fall before the u. Children 6 months through 8 years of age who need 2 doses should receive their. Serious outcomes of flu infection are hospitalization or death.
About 7 million have been sick with the flu so far this. Time asked lynnette brammer, an epidemiologist who leads domestic surveillance for the u. Past seasons estimated influenza disease burden cdc. Flu season deaths top 80,000 last year, cdc says cnn. Flu season generally spans the colder months because cold conditions are optimized for flu. Mar 29, 2019 it will still be weeks before flu drops to levels needed for the cdc to declare the season over. Flu deaths on the rise with 2,100 fatalities reported in. In 2017, cdc began using new methodology to classify. Flu season, in general, lasts from october to may, according to the centers for disease control and prevention cdc. Wate according to the centers for disease control and prevention, the number of influenzarelated deaths in the 20192020 season is on the rise. Here is a breakdown of the peak months of flu activity over a 34year period between. Flu has killed 20,000 americans so far this season. Flu season is imminent, and cdc continues to remind that everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated. Its hard to predict what will happen later in the season, brammer says, but she cautions that weeks, if not months, of flu season are still to come.
In the briefing, cdc director brenda fitzgerald, md, indicated that while influenza surveillance systems suggest that the flu season may be peaking in these recent weeks, it will likely take several more weeks before influenza activity slows down. The cdc s most recent flu report says that as of february 29, hospitalization rates among. Feb 21, 2020 healthday news its been overshadowed by the new coronavirus outbreak in china, but this years flu season could be near its peak after surging throughout the united states for months. Generally, the dates of flu season in the united states run from october to may, with a peak between december and february. Flu season comes early this year due to unexpected virus. Like last season, cdc and acip recommend that vaccination be offered by the end of october. Last years flu season was deadliest in decades, says cdc. So far, 16,000 people have died and 280,000 people have been hospitalized during the 20192020 flu season, according to preliminary estimates from the cdc. In the southern hemisphere, however, where winter comes during our summer months, the flu season falls between june and september.
Jan 15, 2020 w hile you can get the flu at any time during the year, the fall officially marks the beginning of the flu season, since cases of the flu start to rise in october, peak between december and. The centers for disease control and prevention cdc points out that the timing, severity, and length of the flu season varies from year to year. It will usually end by april, but in some years it can linger into may. Cdc estimates that so far this season there have been 9. Even the cdc cannot precisely predict when and how flu season will start each. What will the rest of the 20192020 flu season be like. For the past three decades, flu activity has peaked at some point between the months of october and february but always tapers off by april. Flu report 20192020 flu season forecasts, stats, and tips. The 20172018 influenza season was a high severity season with high levels of outpatient clinic and emergency department visits for influenzalike illness ili, high influenzarelated hospitalization rates, and elevated and geographically widespread influenza activity for an extended period.
Flu shots work and can keep your child from getting sick. Estimated influenza disease burden, by season united states, 201011 through 201819 influenza seasons. Cdc officials called the 80,000 figure preliminary, and it may be slightly revised. We are just over two months into the 20192020 flu season, and so far a staggering amount of people have lost their lives due to the highly contagious virus. Everyone 6 months and older needs a flu vaccine each year. Flu reports california department of public health. What you need to know about the 2020 flu season, and how to. Flu season in the us, which runs from october through may, claims tens of thousands of lives every year. Flu season thats sickened 26 million may be at its peak. Last years flu season was the worst in many years, according to data released thursday by the centers for disease control and prevention cdc the cdc estimates at. In the united states, the centers for disease control and prevention cdc, tracks the flu activity through the year and produces weekly reports during the flu season months of october to may. Oct 03, 2016 in the meantime, cdc and the american academy of pediatrics aap recommend flu shots this flu season, not the nasal spray flu vaccine.
Flu season typically falls sometime between the start of fall and the end of spring. Flu season generally spans the colder months because cold conditions are optimized for flu virus survival and. Nationally, influenza b viruses have been most common so far this season followed by influenza a h1n1 viruses. While the beginning of major flu activity in each season. Oct 23, 2018 flu season is imminent, and cdc continues to remind that everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated. The nasal flu mist should not be used during the 20172018 flu season due to its low effectiveness. But flu season actually peaks sometime between december and march, frank esper. When is flu season and why there is a flu season in the first place. People who have not gotten a flu vaccine for the current season. Sep 26, 2018 the 20172018 flu season was one of the deadliest in decades according to the cdc. An estimated 80,000 americans died of flu and its complications last winter. Find information on coronavirus disease 2019 covid19. Jan 16, 2020 will the rest of this flu season be just as bad. The cdc recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get the yearly flu vaccine and that you get it as soon as it becomes available, by the end of.
The preliminary cumulative burden estimates for the 20182019 season will be released later this fall. Cdc recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine yearly. Cdc hopes the coronavirus outbreak is seasonal like the. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of influenza flu. According to the centers for disease control and prevention cdc, the median incubation period is estimated to be 4 to 5 days.