Flu Vaccination & COVID-19 Prevention Measures Likely Contributed to Low Flu Activity Last Season
A new CDC article explains that COVID-19 prevention measures like wearing masks, social distancing, and reducing travel, combined with flu vaccination, likely contributed to the low levels of flu activity last season. As COVID-19 prevention measures begin to lift, it is likely that flu activity will resume. Flu vaccination and other prevention measures may be especially important this flu season.
One Additional Pediatric Death Recorded for the 2019-2020 Flu Season
CDC reported 1 new seasonal pediatric flu-related death last week, bringing the total number of flu deaths in kids reported to CDC for the 2019-20 season to 199. This is a record for reported pediatric deaths in a single season. This tragic milestone underscores the importance of vaccinating children against flu. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine.
Five Human Infections with Flu Viruses That Usually Spread in Pigs Reported During the 2020-21 Season
CDC today reported the fifth human infection with an influenza virus that usually spreads in pigs and not people in the U.S. that occurred during 2020-2021 influenza season. These infections are concerning because of their pandemic potential; however, no person-to-person spread was identified, and all reported infections occurred in people with exposure to pigs.
CDC is still tracking the spread of #flu in the U.S. with the weekly #FluView surveillance report. Check out this week's report: https://bit.ly/2AfIS02
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