The start of the 20192020 flu season was unusual, with influenza b circulating early. The flu vaccine for the 20192020 season has been formulated to protect against both h1n1 and h3n2, the two strains that dominated last years flu season, as well as other strains that are. The state department of health reports that levels of the disease remained elevated overall for a second consecutive week. Will coronavirus slow down in the warmer months like flu. As the peak of southwest floridas flu season nears, public health agencies are encouraging people to get vaccinated if they have not already.
Flu seasons worst is still to come in south florida, health officials warn. In the latest statewide activity graph, fdh shows the flu season started at. Because influenza surveillance does not capture all cases of flu that occur in the u. Tallahassee with more than two months left to the 201819 flu season, the florida department of health in leon county continues to encourage everyone to get a flu vaccination.
Is there a better chance of avoiding the flu virus in. The winter flu season is trending similar to 201415, when lee experienced a pretty bad flu season, said jennifer roth, an epidemiologist with the. Influenza or flu is a viral respiratory illness, mainly spread by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Although adjusted for differences in agedistribution and population size, rankings by state do not take into account other state specific population characteristics that may affect the level of mortality. Flu activity is beginning to pick up for the 20182019 season, and one of the earliest deaths was already reported. Will warming spring temperatures slow the coronavirus. Generally, the dates of flu season in the united states run from october to may, with a peak between december and february. In general, flu season can start anytime in late fall, peak in midtolate winter usually january or february, and continue through early spring. Nearly 1,700 flurelated deaths were reported in california that season, more than three times a typical.
While some experts think the early and rapid start to this years flu season could mean a sign of a particular intense flu. The 20172018 united states flu season lasted from late 2017 through early 2018. In the southern hemisphere, the flu season runs from may until september. Flu season expected to be worst in decades, on the rise in.
The centers for disease control say we havent even hit the worst peak of flu season. While floridas flu season peaks in the early months of the year, early vaccination ensures protection during the holiday season when many gather for celebrations and family events. To better contextualize the data presented in these reports, we have grouped them by season rather than calendar year. During the 20172018 season, influenzalikeillness ili activity began to increase in november, reaching an extended period of high activity during january and february nationally, and remained elevated through the end of march. Serious outcomes of flu infection are hospitalization or death.
The year before that the 201718 season was one of the worst in recent history. Flu season generally spans the colder months because cold conditions are optimized for flu virus survival and. Flu season in florida could be worst in history south florida sun. Florida is already seeing regional flu activity, and the seasons peak of late december through february has yet to come. Flu season runs from october to may and leon residents are still becoming ill from the flu. Research about why some viruses are seasonal has been largely centered around those that cause the flu, a disease long associated with winter months. The florida department of health urges all floridians older than six months who have not yet received. Its well known that the flu ebbs and flows with the weather each year.
Flu spreading in florida as season nears its peak month. That variety usually doesnt ramp up until the spring months of march and april, health experts say. Flu can be a serious disease, even for healthy people. In a statewide flu report released wednesday, florida officials said there has been an overall twoweek trend of decreasing flu activity, although there were 20. The flu remains a far deadlier illness to worry about in florida than the coronavirus, state lawmakers were told on tuesday. Flu seasons worst is still to come in south florida. Flu season is getting underway and health officials at all levels are sending out the word for people to get their vaccinations. Flu activity in florida and georgia is listed as high right. Florida is currently experiencing a moderately severe influenza season.
The first reported casualty of the 201819 season occurred in early october when an unvaccinated child in florida died of the flu. The estimates are extrapolated from data from about 27 million people, or about 8. The florida department of health in brevard county offers flu vaccines for children ages 6 months through 18 years of age at each of its clinic locations in. Flu season in florida could be worst in history south. With the 20192020 flu season upon us, it is vital that all floridians get the flu vaccine to protect against infection and help prevent the spread of seasonal flu to others. A child in florida died after coming down with the flu in week 40 of the year. Cold and flu season is here and getting a vaccine should be on the top of your to do list. The vaccination rates among children between 6 months to 17 years remain below the national goal. Flu season thats sickened 26 million may be at its peak. The florida department of health urges flu vaccinations for all floridians older than six months to get their vaccinations before halloween on oct. In florida, influenzalike illnesses such as the flu are being reported at higher levels now than during the peak of the last two flu seasons. How does the 20182019 flu season compare to last years. To better contextualize the data presented in these reports, we have grouped them by season rather than.
Week three was the time period between 11220 and 11820. Will coronavirus slow down in the warmer months like flu season. Pinellas is at the center of a rise in florida flu outbreaks. The florida department of health is encouraging everyone to be a positive influence get vaccinated. Mild influenza activity was reported in 51 counties, including escambia and santa rosa, during the week of january 17, the latest available figures. Everyone 6 months and older should get a yearly flu vaccine. In order to have flu shots ready for flu season, experts have to decide, months in advance, which strains to include in the vaccine. But its the winter months throughout most of the country when flu season really picks up steam, and that is true for florida as well. Protect your family, friends and community against influenza. Last years flu season made headlines for its scope and severity, but the new number still surprised experts. In the southern hemisphere, however, where winter comes during our summer months, the flu season falls between june and september. T he 20182019 flu season may not have been as severe as the one that came before it, but it set a record of its own, the centers for disease control and prevention cdc say. A strain of influenza b has caused high flu activity early in the season, with observed cases in florida well above past levels.
Health officials are urging everyone eligible to get the flu vaccine. You can get a cold yearround, but most people consider the winter months to be common cold season. Florida influenza surveillance reports florida department of health. During this 36year period, flu activity most often peaked in february 15 seasons, followed by december 7 seasons, january 6 seasons and march 6 seasons. The week of april 4 was the last week in season influenza burden estimates will be provided for the 20192020 season.
Florida may not have a reputation as a winter wonderland, but colder temperatures still force people to spend more time in crowded, enclosed spacesthe perfect conditions for humantohuman viral transmission. During the spring months of marchmay, influenza b virus became dominant. Odh monitors circulating flu viruses and other related data sources and provides weekly summaries of influenza activity from october week 40 through may week 20. The latest influenza flu report for hillsborough county shows influenza and influenzalike illness activity increasing. Flu season in the united states kicked off early this year. January is usually the midway point of the flu season in florida. Dohleon reminds you to take precautions this flu season.
Post to facebook flu activity higher than normal, and florida has. The peak month of flu activity is the month with the highest percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza virus infection during that influenza season. In fact, even its name, influenza may be a reference to its original italian name, influenza di freddo, meaning influence of the cold 4. Flu season in hillsborough county florida department of. Florida is specifically seeing more flu cases this season than normal, the department of health confirmed. Flu a bigger worry in florida than coronavirus wpec. The figure below shows peak flu activity in the united states by month for the 19821983 through 20172018. As many as 61,000 people died from the flu during the 201819 season. Health officials last week said there was a good chance the flu season was already peaking. An estimated 32 million americans have come down with influenza since this years flu season began in late september, resulting in about 18,000 deaths, according to the centers for disease.
The cdc says that we are on track to having one of the worst flu seasons in decades. The cdc estimates that so far in this years flu season from oct. So far, there has been no pediatric mortalities in the current flu season in hillsborough county. This is the first time the cdc has provided such flu estimates for the 20182019 season. Is there a better chance of avoiding the flu virus in south florida. Everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each season. The agency recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get the annual flu shot. The first week of the new calendar year is indicated by week 1. The florida department of health urges all floridians older than six months to get vaccinated before halloween on oct. People who are at high risk of serious flu illness should take flu antiviral drugs quickly if they get sick.
Seasonal flu information central florida regional hospital. Getting vaccinated against flu protects not just you, but everyone around you, doh. In all states except hawaii and oregon, the distribution of influenza was indicated as widespread, including 32 states that had high flu activity. During the first week of the 201718 season october 17 influenza activity remained at low levels across florida. The week of april 4 was the last week inseason influenza burden estimates will be provided for the 20192020 season. Flu cases on the rise in southwest florida naples daily news. The country is in the throes of flu season, with 48 states and puerto rico. Flu season is the time of year when you are most likely to get sick from the flu.
Sanja jelic, md is boardcertified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine. Despite the early start, scientists are expecting a relatively mild flu season based on recent data from the southern hemisphere. The viruses that cause colds also spread more easily just after a drop in temperature and humidity. At least 14,000 people have died and 250,000 have already been hospitalized during the 20192020 flu season, according to estimates from the u. Week 4 january 1925, 2020 week 3 january 1218, 2020 week 2. What will the rest of the 20192020 flu season be like. But its expected to increase heading into the fall and winter months. Flu season has hit hard in south florida, bringing the typical fever, muscle aches and lingering cough, but this year it also includes one telltale sign. Even if you do still get sick, it will be for a shorter duration and your risk of.
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