Seasonal influenza activity continues to increase and is elevated across most of the country. CDC estimates that there have been at least 5.3 million illnesses, 63,000 hospitalizations, and 2,700 deaths from flu so far this season.
New CDC Study Highlights First 46 US Human Cases of H5N1 Bird Flu in 2024
A new CDC report published in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at of H5N1 bird flu in the United States from March 2024 to October 2024. These cases primarily occurred in adults exposed to infected poultry or dairy cows; 93% had conjunctivitis (eye redness), 49% fever, and 36% respiratory symptoms. No person-to-person spread was identified.
CDC recently published a new web page on tips to reduce the risk of seasonal flu. The single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated each year, but preventive actions like avoiding people who are sick, covering your cough, and washing your hands also can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like flu.
