A second child has died of the flu, as influenza activity continues to increase in more regions around the country.
This season, there have been an estimated 1.6 million flu illnesses, 13,000 hospitalizations and 730 deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the week ending Oct. 28, the number of hospitalized patients rose to 4,326, up from 2,332 the previous week. The hospitalization rate is higher than for the same period going back a decade.
The most frequently reported virus is A(H3N2).
In New Mexico, a patient under age 18 was infected with an influenza variant (A(H3N2)v) virus. The individual, now recovering, had swine exposure before becoming ill.
With multiple viruses co-circulating, about 9% were positive for influenza this week, but the figure rose to nearly 20% in the southeast.
The southeast and south-central areas of the U.S. are seeing the highest levels of flu activity, followed by the mid-Atlantic and south-central West coast regions.
Hospitals are filling up early in the season with cases of respiratory viruses, especially respiratory syncytial virus and flu. Federal health officials continue to urge the public to take precautions — especially with the holidays approaching.
The AAP and CDC urge everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Resources
- AAP policy Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2022-2023
- AAP technical report Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2022-2023
- CDC article on early wave of flu hospitalizations
- Information on flu from the CDC
- CDC FAQs about the 2022-’23 flu season
- AAP flu toolkit
- Information for parents on flu vaccine from HealthyChildren.org
- Information on flu from the AAP Red Book
- Flu vaccine locations near you
