US sees spike in respiratory illnesses during holiday season

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UNITED STATES, Jan 6, (Agencies): In the U.S., the flu season is intensifying, though the extent of the impact of holiday gatherings on the surge in illnesses remains uncertain.

Recent government data, covering the holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s, reveals that 38 states now have high or very high levels of respiratory illnesses characterized by fever, cough, and other symptoms, up from 31 states the previous week.

The elevated levels likely encompass various respiratory ailments, including COVID-19, RSV, and other winter viruses, with flu showing the most significant increase, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While anticipating sustained elevation for several more weeks, the CDC describes this flu season as moderate.

Analyzing flu reports during and after the holidays presents challenges, given school closures, increased travel, and variations in people’s healthcare-seeking behaviors.

The typical flu season peaks between December and February, and CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen expects this season to peak by the end of the month. Notably, the flu shots for this season are well-matched to the prevalent strain.

CDC estimates since October indicate over 10 million flu illnesses, 110,000 hospitalizations, and 6,500 flu-related deaths this season, with 27 children succumbing to the flu. While COVID-19 cases are not surging as rapidly as the flu this winter, the virus is leading to more hospitalizations than the flu, according to CDC data.

A new coronavirus variant, JN.1, accounts for nearly two-thirds of U.S. cases, as per CDC estimates.

However, health officials state that there is no evidence indicating that it causes more severe disease than other recent variants. Lauren Ancel Meyers from the University of Texas notes a second rise in COVID-19 cases after a smaller peak in September, with uncertainty about when and how high the current surge will peak. Meyers’ team forecasts trends in COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

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