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Experts are reportedly predicting that a flu season could hit the United States after what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called a low-severity season last year.
The high number of cases in Australia has raised concerns, with data from Australia’s surveillance system showing that this year’s cases have already surpassed those in 2019.
So far this year, there have been 212,573 notifications. laboratory-confirmed influenza 246 deaths were reported to the national notifiable disease surveillance system.
By mid-July, nearly 150,000 cases were reported in 2019, according to a USA Today report.
CDC panel recommends getting newer flu vaccines for older adults
Although influenza activity is declining in the United States and summer epidemics are generally low, the CDC maintains vigilance for transmission and seasonal viral testing and surveillance for novel influenza A virus transmission remain critical. says there is.
“An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) is ongoing. Health care providers and anyone who comes into contact with sick or infected birds should be alert for the development of symptoms consistent with influenza.” Annual seasonal flu vaccination is the best way to prevent seasonal flu and its potentially serious consequences.”
Because influenza viruses can change from year to year, vaccines are updated each year to protect against new strains of the influenza virus.
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The flu season in the United States usually peaks between December and February, but activity can continue into May.
Drugstore pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS already offer walk-in and appointment flu shots.
A 2018 survey of the US population suggested that between 3% and 11% get sick with the flu each season.
The study also found that children were the most likely to get sick, and people over 65 were the least likely.
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Complications of influenza include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and exacerbations of chronic illness.
The CDC estimates that between 2010 and 2020, influenza will sicken 9 to 41 million people and kill 12,000 to 52,000 people each year.