Oct 22, 2018 influenza activity started in week 472017 and returned to baseline levels in week 182018. While flu season always occurs during the colder months, its hit. Flu season typically falls sometime between the start of fall and the end of spring. However, cases of flu can still occur into may, according to the centers for disease control and prevention. The flu is a contagious illness that affects the nose, throat, lungs, and other parts of the body. How does cdc monitor the progress of the flu season. Heres why the 2017 flu season was so bad medical xpress. Sep 25, 2019 the 2019 flu season is expected to start earlier, last longer.
Some experts think the early start may mean a lot of suffering is in. The cdc has called the 20172018 flu an epidemic, but notes that it technically meets that designation just about every year. Flu season arrives early in us due to unexpected virus cdc. The figure below shows peak flu activity in the united states by month for the 19821983 through 20172018 flu seasons. In general, flu season can start anytime in late fall, peak in midtolate winter usually january or february, and continue through early spring. Its officially flu season and a few southern states are getting hit especially hardand earlythis year. Flu season off to earliest start in more than 15 years. But the following year, the 2012 flu season was moderately severe, according to the cdc. Sep 20, 2017 flu season is off to an early start in arizona, with at least six cases of influenza already confirmed. Thats what seems to have happened after the 201112 flu season.
Flu season is the time of year when you are most likely to get sick from the flu. 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. The flu vaccine offered to bu employees in 201920 season, afluria quadrivalent, is cellbased and has a much smaller amount of egg protein than eggbased vaccines since the original vaccine virus is grown in eggs, but mass production of that vaccine does not occur in eggs. The flu season can begin as early as october in the united states and ends in march, with a peak in february, explains kola dushaj, md, an internal medicine doctor at caremount medical in cortlandt manor, new york. People who are at high risk of serious flu illness should take flu antiviral drugs quickly if they get sick. Its possible that climate change that causes swings in temperature from season to season could have an impact on the severity of influenza. Since flu associated deaths in children became a nationally notifiable condition in 2004, the total number of flu associated deaths among children during one season has ranged from 37 during the 20112012 season to 186 during the 2017 18 season, as of april 19, 2019. In the southern hemisphere, however, where winter comes during our summer months, the flu season falls between june and september. Using the supercomputers at the texas advanced computing center, the scientists used their model to run thousands of simulations in which new pandemic viruses emerged at different points throughout the flu. In the united states, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Another thing to remember is that an early start to the flu season does not mean the flu season will be awful.
Italy is in the grip of its worst flu season in 14 years. Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses. The 20172018 united states flu season lasted from late 2017 through early 2018. Its scary enough to have everyone asking when does flu season end. Initially, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. Influenza activity can sometimes be predicted and even tracked geographically. The cdc figures for annual flu seasons from 198283 through 201718 show that february has the highest amount of flu activity by a significant margin. Jan 11, 2018 the flu season in canada is shaping up to be a nasty one as emergency rooms across the country become overcrowded with sick patients. In 2017, cdc adopted and outlined a new methodology for determining flu season severity.
But its expected to increase heading into the fall and winter months. Flu season 20172018 when does the flu season start. Jan 17, 2018 the cdc has called the 2017 2018 flu an epidemic, but notes that it technically meets that designation just about every year. In the southern hemisphere, the flu season runs from may until september.
Last flu season started off as a mild one but turned out to be the longest in 10 years. These preliminary in season burden estimates will be provided when activity has been sufficient to generate a stable estimate, and will be updated weekly over the course of the flu season. While reported cases of the flu tend to increase around this time of year, several stateslouisiana, mississippi, georgia. Since fluassociated deaths in children became a nationally notifiable condition in 2004, the total number of fluassociated deaths among children during one season has ranged from 37 during the 20112012 season to 186 during the 201718 season, as of april 19, 2019. Smelser said that so far there have been seven deaths in new mexico, all adults, attributed to flu in the 20172018 season, but he expects that number to. In northern and southwestern europe eueea, the activity started to increase between middecember and early january, similar to the timing of the 20162017 season but earlier than in the previous five seasons. Jan 06, 2017 so far in the 20162017 influenza season, influenza a h3n2 viruses have been identified most frequently in the u. While reported cases of the flu tend to increase around this time of year, several. Jan 03, 2018 a severe variant of the influenza virus has produced a powerful start to the 2018 flu season. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of. Oct 19, 2017 the model incorporates data on flu transmission from the 20082009 flu season and correctly predicted the timing of the 2009 h1n1 pandemic. The season occurs during the cold half of the year in each hemisphere. The 2019 flu season is expected to start earlier, last.
Everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each season. While influenza viruses circulate yearround, most of the time flu activity peaks between december and february, but activity can last as late as may. Flu activity what sort of flu season are we experiencing. Georgia, louisiana, and oklahoma recently reported widespread flu cases, according to the centers for disease control and prevention cdcs latest weekly update. Dec 09, 2017 the 2017 2018 flu season is off to an early start, potentially hitting highs during the endofyear holidays. Records show four people fell ill with the flu in maricopa county between aug. The model incorporates data on flu transmission from the 20082009 flu season and correctly predicted the timing of the 2009 h1n1 pandemic. While flu season officially doesnt start in canada until november which goes into april of 2018, simor adds some public health officials in toronto, for example. Early signs of the flu can include cough, sore throat, sinusitis or fever. This years flu vaccine has been 45% effective against the flu so far this season, new cdc figures show it worked better.
Smelser said that so far there have been seven deaths in new mexico, all adults, attributed to flu in the 2017 2018 season, but he expects that number to grow when new figures are released on friday. Flu season gets off to an early start and may peak over. Here is a breakdown of the peak months of flu activity over a 34year period between. As of a flu activity update published in the morbidity and mortality weekly report on february 17, 2017, flu activity during the 2016 2017 season had been moderate, with influenza a h3n2 viruses predominating and severity indicators within the range of what has been seen during previous seasons that were h3n2predominant. As the flu season comes to an end, were beginning to understand why. The 20172018 flu season is off to an early start, potentially hitting highs during the endofyear holidays. There were some 832,000 flu patients between january 814th, according to the national health institutes virus monitoring service, making a total of 3,883,000 cases since september 2017. The last flu season to rev up this early was in 20032004 a bad one. The start, peak, and end of flu season verywell health. Flu season in north america is off to an early start this year, and may be on track to peak over the holidays, influenza experts tell stat. The nasal spray is approved for use in nonpregnant individuals, 2. Flu season is off to an early start in arizona, with at least six cases of influenza already confirmed. Flu season is coming heres how canadians can protect.
Ecdc monitors and reports on influenza transmission and virus circulation in europe on a weekly basis throughout the flu season. Flu season gets off to an early start and may peak over holidays. When the season will peak and when it will come to. Cdc began counting the 20172018 flu season as october 2017, and by early. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of influenza flu. Sep 24, 2019 a number of questions surround the flu, which has seen record numbers in recent years 80,000 americans died in the 201718 season including the most prevalent strain and whether or not. And although a cold can be a nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu. Its time again to start thinking about flu shots and louisville health experts say you should.
Jan 29, 2018 unfortunately, that probably means the true answer to questions of when does flu season end this year is the last thing youd want to hear. Flu season is getting underway and health officials at all levels are sending out the word for people to get their vaccinations. The 2019 flu season is expected to start earlier, last longer. While reported cases of the flu tend to increase around this time of year. Its obvious by now that the 20172018 flu season is one for the record books a fullblown epidemic that the public health system is fighting with all its got. We have just passed the halfway point of the 2017 18 flu season, and if you are watching the news, you could get the impression that things are pretty bad. It will usually end by april, but in some years it can linger into may. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. Weekly online reporting for next season will start in week 402017.
While the beginning of major flu activity in each season varies by location, in any specific location. The 20172018 influenza season in the united states was one of the most. During the first week of the 201718 season october 17 influenza activity remained at low levels across florida. Dec 07, 2017 its officially flu season and a few southern states are getting hit especially hardand earlythis year. Timing of flu season varies in different parts of the world and from season to season. During the 20172018 season, influenzalikeillness ili activity began to increase in november. The flu season typically peaks in august, but laboratoryconfirmed cases of influenza have been higher than usual so far this year as have calls about flurelated symptoms to the healthdirect helpline. For the 20192020 season, the nasal spray flu vaccine live attenuated influenza vaccine or laiv is again a recommended option for influenza vaccination of persons for whom it is otherwise appropriate.
Australia has recorded 221,853 flu infections so far in 2017, more than any other year. Regardless of how warm and humid it still is outside, that doesnt mean its too early to prepare for the most unwonderful time of the year flu season. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in october. Jan 02, 2019 seasonal flu follows a fairly predictable pattern, starting in the fall and ending in the spring. Generally, the dates of flu season in the united states run from october to may, with a peak between december and february. Influenza activity started in week 472017 and returned to baseline levels in week 182018. Do other respiratory viruses circulate during the flu season. Flu is spreading fast this year, with a severe season possible. Flu season generally spans the colder months because cold. Influenza surveillance for the 20172018 season is starting ecdc. While flu season always occurs during the colder months, its hit a little earlier than usual in. When the season will peak and when it will come to an end. It originates, actually, among birds and other animals such as pigs, and new viral strains of influenza come to this country and to europe from southeast asia. While flu season officially doesnt start in canada until november which goes into april of 2018, simor adds some public health officials in.
This is the highest number of patient claims since the 2009 flu season. Oct 07, 2019 regardless of how warm and humid it still is outside, that doesnt mean its too early to prepare for the most unwonderful time of the year flu season. Nov 02, 2017 australia has recorded 221,853 flu infections so far in 2017, more than any other year. As the flu season comes to an end, were beginning to understand why it was so bad. A number of questions surround the flu, which has seen record numbers in recent years 80,000 americans died in the 201718 season including the most prevalent strain and whether or not. Those numbers might seem low for the us, which saw an estimated 48. Jun 20, 2019 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.
For the past three decades, flu activity has peaked at some point between the months of october and february but always tapers off by april. Two phase 1 trials that began this past fall and are expected to last. Unfortunately, that probably means the true answer to questions of when does flu season end this year is the last thing youd want to hear. However, i want to point out a very important fact to you. Oct 15, 2018 the cdc figures for annual flu seasons from 198283 through 201718 show that february has the highest amount of flu activity by a significant margin. Influenza is a virus thats spread from person to person. If so, you can expect it to start as early as mid october. When is flu season and why there is a flu season in the first. A severe variant of the influenza virus has produced a powerful start to the 2018 flu season. So far in the 20162017 influenza season, influenza a h3n2 viruses have been identified most frequently in the u. During the summer, weekly reporting to the european surveillance system. The 2017 2018 influenza season was a high severity season with high levels of outpatient clinic and emergency department visits for influenzalike illness ili, high influenzarelated hospitalization rates, and elevated and geographically widespread. When is flu season and why there is a flu season in the. But epidemics like this are the reason institutions like the centers for disease control cdc exist.
While the beginning of major flu activity in each season varies by location, in any. We have just passed the halfway point of the 201718 flu season, and if you are watching the news, you could get the impression that things are pretty bad. In fact, over the 36 years that the cdc has been recording flu activity, february has seen the most activity for 15 seasons, more than double the next highest monthdecember, with 7. The spread of the influenza virus this year is very intense, higher even than the pandemic of 200910 and comparable only to the 20045 season, said. The season generally reaches its peak in february and ends in march 2. It ended with around 49,000 flurelated deaths and 590,000 hospitalizations, according to preliminary estimates.