CDC on Child Fatalities and Flu Prevalence

Flu season in the US has tragically led to the deaths of over a hundred children, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ().

The US has recently been facing a tripledemic of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 infections. While RSV and Covid cases have come down, flu cases are still rising.

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‘Despite declining RSV and Covid-19 cases, the US grapples with a rising flu season, marked by over a hundred child fatalities, driven by the H1N1 and H3N2 strains, emphasizing the importance of flu vaccination to mitigate severe outcomes, according to CDC reports. #flu #fluseason #influenza ’

“Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and is increasing in some areas of the country. COVID-19 activity is decreasing in many areas of the country. RSV activity is decreasing in all areas of the country,” the CDC said in its weekly FluView update.

H1N1 strain (Swine flu) was the most reported influenza virus, followed by H3N2.

In the Grip of Tragedy

About 10 kids died in the period between December and March, and raised the season's total to 103, the CDC said.

Did You Know?

The 1918 influenza pandemic, known as the Spanish Flu, was one of the deadliest pandemics in history, infecting about one-third of the world's population.

Of the 10, six died due to influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2 strain), four due to influenza B. According to experts, lack of vaccination, and mistaking it for another cold virus are the major reasons for flu deaths among kids.

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Data shows that just over 50 percent of children took the flu vaccination this year.“There is a popular misconception among families that flu is just another cold virus and that it’s no big deal,” Dr. Kristina Bryant, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky, was quoted as saying by NBC news.

The contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, and throat, affects children badly. It raises the risk of compromising breathing as the kids have smaller airways.

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As the virus spreads and inflames the airways, breathing becomes difficult, increasing the risk of hospitalization and death.

The CDC recommends annual flu shots for everyone six months and older, which can halve the risk of hospitalization and even curb the risk of death.

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Reference:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - (https://www.cdc.gov/)

Source-IANS