The Center for Disease Control informs the public to receive vaccines in order to help prevent the flu.
Across the United States, influenza has been affecting individuals at a rapid rate. In some cases, the number of those infected with influenza is more than double the number last year around the same time.
The Center for Disease Control stated on its website that roughly half of the United States is experiencing "high levels of flu activity." It has officially called the influenza an epidemic.
"Reports of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths are elevated. Activity is expected to continue for several weeks, especially in parts of the country that have not yet seen significant activity," stated the CDC.
According to Thomas Frieden, CDC Director, the flu is particularly significant this year because of the H3N2 virus that is the major virus in circulation. This particular virus is more potent than other forms in the past, and so far 15 children have passed as a result of the flu this year. The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of six months take flu vaccines. Though the current vaccine was not created to combat the H3N2 type A strain of the virus, the CDC still recommends receiving the vaccine.
The flu started in the fall of this year, and has hospitalized about twice as many individuals in the U.S. as it did last year. According to the CDC, about 90 percent of flu related deaths occur in individuals who are aged 65 and older. Some hospitals have been receiving record numbers of patients with the flu-like symptoms, such as in Michigan.
The CDC recommends a "three-pronged" approach to preventing the virus. The first being vaccination, the second being good hygiene such as thorough and frequent washing of hands in warm water, and the last being preventative antiviral drugs. Though the current flu season has started quickly and claimed lives, it is not unusual for the flu to have such affects on the U.S. The last time the H3N2 strain was prevalent was back in 2012-2013. According to the Washington Post, based on a week-by-week comparison, the current season appears to be elevating at a more severe rate. Due to the comparatively early stage of the influenza season, however, it is still too early to claim that the current flu season is worse.
