CDC predicts over 100 more child flu deaths this year as hospitalizations climb to record high, vaccine supplies dry up, and the outbreak looks set to get WORSE
New CDC figures show more than 37 children died this season; 7 this week
To brace the spread, schools in at least 11 states are closing to disinfect buildings and quarantine children at home
The CDC fears the H3N2 strain may have mutated this year, making it worse than 2014/15
Dr Dan Jernigan, head of the flu division, said he predicts the child death toll to be the same as 2014/15, which was 148
Hospitalizations for 18-64-year-olds is now higher than every other year
The CDC does not count adult deaths, put they predict around 32 million will catch the flu this year, with around 16 million needing emergency care
By Mia De Graaf Health Editor
DailyMail.com
26 January 2018
This year’s flu is is getting worse, not better, despite hopes we had passed the peak of this year’s deadly outbreak, new CDC figures reveal.
Seven more child flu deaths were recorded last week, bringing the total to 37 this season – but officials believe that number is a wild underestimate.
Speaking on Friday, Dr Dan Jernigan, director of the CDC’s Influenza Division, said he believes the actual pediatric death toll could be closer to 80, and predicts it will climb to around 150 by the end of March.
To brace the spread, schools in at least 11 states are closing to disinfect buildings and quarantine children at home.
Under-18s aren’t the only ones suffering: the rate of people with influenza-like illness (ILI) has rocketed past the rate of every other year except the unusual November pandemic of 2009 – even eclipsing the deadly 2014/15 season.
Hospitalizations are also far higher this year than 2014/15 for every age group except over-65s, who are always the hardest-hit.
Sharing the data on Friday, Dr Jernigan said he is now certain the outbreak is set to get worse this week, rather than dipping down like previous years, as every state bar Hawaii battles the aggressive strain.
He insisted it is not too late to get the flu shot, and urges everyone to do so – but dismissed concerns that pharmacies across the US have run dry of vaccines and medications, insisting providers need to work harder to find the materials.
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