The flu season typically peaks in august, but laboratoryconfirmed cases of influenza have been higher than usual so far this year as have calls about flurelated symptoms to. The start of flu season is still weeks or months away, but you can get a flu shot now at many pharmacies. In the united states, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months. A severe variant of the influenza virus has produced a powerful start to the 2018 flu season. The season generally reaches its peak in february and ends in march 2.
Flu activity may be waning in states that had flu activity early, but its too soon to say for sure whether the season will end early for those states, frieden said, adding that the flu season is. Florida is currently experiencing a moderately severe influenza season. The new york state department of health nysdoh collects, compiles, and analyzes information on flu activity yearround in new york state nys, and produces a weekly report during the flu season october through the following may. The start, peak, and end of flu season verywell health. Its officially flu season and a few southern states are getting hit especially hardand earlythis year. Its national influenza vaccine week, and the nations healthcare industry is in the heart of.
For a complete list of recommendations and vaccine products for. The nasal spray is approved for use in nonpregnant individuals, 2. Timing of flu season varies in different parts of the world and from season to season. 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. In the southern hemisphere, the flu season runs from may until september. Flu is a disease of the bodys breathing system, including the nose, throat and lungs. Influenza activity, surveillance and reports new york. Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses. Health department emergency preparedness flu season. T he 20182019 flu season may not have been as severe as the one that came before it, but it set a record of its own, the centers for disease control and prevention cdc say. Beginning with the 20182019 flu season, cdc began reporting cumulative, inseason estimates of the burden of flu. 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.
The peak week of flu activity in terms of influenzalike illness ili for the 20152016 season was the week ending march 12, 2016. While influenza viruses circulate yearround, most of the time flu activity peaks between december and february, but activity can last as late as may. The vaccine can also cut the chances that youll spread the flu to more vulnerable people, like infants and the elderly. In europe, winter and therefore the flu season is fast approaching. While reported cases of the flu tend to increase around this time of year, several stateslouisiana, mississippi, georgia. This web page provides weekly preliminary estimates of the cumulative in season numbers of flu illnesses, medical visits and hospitalizations in the u. Flu season typically falls sometime between the start of fall and the end of spring. Influenza activity is increasing across the united states and cdc has received several reports of severe influenza illness. Data reported will begin on week 40, the traditional start date of flu season. January and february are the months the most people get the flu. In kelowna, there has been 17 flu cases reported so far this.
Yes, it is possible to get your flu shot too soon npr. This is when you can expect the flu season to end abc news. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating in the community, its not too late to get vaccinated. The flu season typically peaks in august, but laboratoryconfirmed cases of influenza have been higher than usual so far this year as have calls about flurelated symptoms to the healthdirect helpline. The first reported casualty of the 201819 season occurred in early october when an unvaccinated child in florida died of the flu. There is no fixed date for the start of the flu season.
Flu season can start as early as october and last as late as may. However, because influenza viruses can circulate yearround in the united states, brammer said people should continue to get vaccinated. While you can catch the flu at any time, its more likely to happen in the colder months of the year april to october. The positive test came from an adult in rockingham county, according to a. Flu season in the united states kicked off early this year. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the united states between december and march. The best time to get vaccinated against the flu is october or november. Georgia, louisiana, and oklahoma recently reported widespread flu cases, according to the centers for disease control and prevention cdcs latest weekly update. Flu season is coming heres how canadians can protect. This web page provides weekly preliminary estimates of the cumulative inseason numbers of flu illnesses, medical visits and hospitalizations in the u. Flu seasons can vary in their timing, severity, and duration from one season to another. The who recently announced which strains this years flu shot will help prevent.
In fact, over the 36 years that the cdc has been recording flu activity, february has seen the most activity for 15 seasons, more than double the next highest monthdecember, with 7. These preliminary inseason burden estimates will be provided when activity has been sufficient to generate a stable estimate, and will be updated weekly over the course of the flu season. The season started in eueea countries in week 462016, the earliest start to. Here are seven key points on the most recent flu season, which ran oct. These symptoms typically begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week. Despite the early start, scientists are expecting a relatively mild flu season based. However, the time frame, length and severity of each flu season fluctuates year to year as well as between different parts of the country. For the 20192020 season, the nasal spray flu vaccine live attenuated influenza vaccine or laiv is again a recommended option for influenza vaccination of persons for whom it is otherwise appropriate. In general, flu season starts when you begin to see people around you with signs and symptoms of the flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue, etc. Over the last 18 seasons including the 20152016 season, only three seasons have peaked during march 20152016. Flu season usually starts in october and ends in may each year, but it can change depending on the virus. Influenza prevention for 20152016 season while we all enjoy the warm summer weather and prepare for the return of the students, we should not forget that the first weeks of classes will inevitably be followed by the beginning of the new flu season.
When the 2017 flu season inevitably starts, public health officials can use. Instead, flu season is characteristically marked by. In the southern hemisphere, however, where winter comes during our summer months, the flu season falls between june and september. The flu season in canada is shaping up to be a nasty one as emergency rooms across the country become overcrowded with sick patients. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus. In doing so, they will likely enhance their ability to protect themselves, as well as their loved ones, from influenza this season. The season occurs during the cold half of the year in each hemisphere. In the united states, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Summary of the 20162017 flu season passport health. Influenza or flu is a viral respiratory illness, mainly spread by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
In general in the united states, flu season can start anytime in late fall, peak in midtolate winter between december and february, and continue through early spring. In this article you will find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the. The cdc figures for annual flu seasons from 198283 through 201718 show that february has the highest amount of flu activity by a significant margin. There were also 110 pediatric deaths during the 20162017 season. It will usually end by april, but in some years it can linger into may. While flu season always occurs during the colder months, its hit a little earlier than usual in. Once you get the flu vaccine, it takes about two weeks for it to be fully effective. Generally, the dates of flu season in the united states run from october to may, with a peak between december and february.
Influenza activity can sometimes be predicted and even tracked geographically. While flu season officially doesnt start in canada until november which goes into april of 2018, simor adds some public health officials in. People should begin getting vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available. Ordinarily, the seasonal flu in us begins in october and continues through may, peaking in december through march. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of influenza flu. Serious outcomes of flu infection are hospitalization or death. Its relatively common that we start the season with. Flu season 20172018 when does the flu season start.
Influenza ah3n2 virus dominated, accounting for 76% of all sentinel. Since october 2015, cdc has detected cocirculation of multiple seasonal influenza virus types and subtypes, with recent reports of severe respiratory illness among young to middleaged adults with h1n1pdm09 virus infection. No doses, one dose, two doses given two weeks apart, or two doses given at least four weeks apart. The 20152016 flu season started a little later than the previous three flu seasons.
Because each flu case is not counted, public health experts have to estimate flus toll, and dont get a good picture until the end of the season. It is important for parents to have all of the facts so that they can help keep their children healthy during the upcoming 20172018 flu season. Health officials say the flu season is off to an early start in the okanagan. Laboratory confirmed flu activity as reported by clinical laboratories continues to decrease sharply and is now low. Early signs of the flu can include cough, sore throat, sinusitis or fever. Answer seasonal flu follows a fairly predictable pattern, starting in the fall and ending in the spring. Over 100 children have died from the flu this season, cdc.
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