News

Widespread Flu Activity Reported Nationwide

The latest influenza report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that all states except for Hawaii reported widespread flu activity for the week ending January 6. This is the first time since the CDC began monitoring flu 13 years ago that every part of the continental United States showed widespread flu activity.

There are several factors contributing to the bad flu season, including an especially severe H3N2 virus and a vaccine that’s only effective against about 30 percent of the H3 viruses. The CDC recommends disinfecting surfaces that may have come in contact with the flu germs, as they can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours. Even more important, anyone with the flu should stay home from work or school, as a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that infected people can spread the flu by simply breathing, without coughing or sneezing.