How Many People Died From Flu During The 2015
CDC does not count how many people die from flu each year. Unlike flu deaths in children, flu deaths in adults are not nationally reportable. During the 2015-2016 season, overall influenza activity was moderate, with a lower percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness , lower hospitalization rates, and a lower percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza compared with the preceding three seasons .
CDC used two flu surveillance systems to monitor relative levels of flu-associated deaths: mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics and the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System. Both of these systems track the proportion of death certificates processed that list pneumonia or influenza as the underlying or contributing cause of death of the total deaths reported. These systems provide an overall indication of whether flu-associated deaths are elevated, but do not provide an exact number of how many people died from flu.
Were Infections With Novel Influenza Viruses Detected During 2015
As of September 15, 2016, seven human infections with novel influenza A viruses were reported to CDC during 2015-2016.
- An influenza Apdm09 variant virus infection was reported by Minnesota during the week ending December 12, 2015. The patient reported no direct contact with swine in the week before illness onset, but lived and worked in an area near where swine were housed.
- Six influenza A variant virus infections were reported in 2015-2016, and they are listed as follows: New Jersey , Minnesota , Ohio , and Michigan . The New Jersey patient reported no direct contact with swine during the week before symptom onset, but had visited a farm where swine were present. The Minnesota patient was hospitalized as a result of the illness, but recovered fully. The source of the infection could not be determined. The Ohio and Michigan patients reported attending fairs where they had exposure to pigs during the week preceding illness onset. The Ohio patients were not related however, both reported attending the same fair in Ohio. Similarly, the Michigan cases both attended the same fair in Michigan, but are otherwise unrelated to each other.
There was no evidence of human-to-human transmission associated with any of these reports.
What Pregnant People And At
Only about 42 percent of adults ages 18 to 49 with chronic conditions that increase their risk of flu complications such as diabetes, asthma, and chronic lung or heart disease received the flu shot last year, according to the NFID.
According to panelist Dr. Cedric Rutland, the CEO of West Coast Lung, influenza can cause widespread inflammation in the body, which can increase peoples risk of heart attack and stroke even after theyve recovered from the flu.
That inflammation ramps up across the body, and those individuals, just like Dr. Schaffner said, do have a higher risk of having myocardial infarction in the subsequent weeks, Rutland said.
Last year, only 55 percent of pregnant people, who are also at higher risk of flu-related complications, hospitalization, and death, got vaccinated against the flu.
Every year, we see pregnant women who are healthy other than being pregnant and they get the flu, and they have some really severe outcomes, panelist Dr. Laura E. Riley, an OB-GYN-in-chief at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said during the conference.
Theres a ton of evidence showing that the flu vaccine is safe during pregnancy and does not increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, or birth defects, Riley said.
Furthermore, pregnant people who get the flu shot will also pass immunity to their babies and provide protection for their first 6 months of life before they can be vaccinated.
You May Like: High Dose Flu Vaccine Walgreens
Can I Get The Flu From The Flu Vaccine
No. Some people get a mild fever or have discomfort for a short time after being vaccinated, but this is a sign that your body is responding to the vaccine. It is not the flu. Also, because there are many viruses circulating in the fall, it is possible to get sick with a different virus around the same time they get flu vaccine.
The Announcement Comes As Fair Season Begins Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Has Affected Almost 3 Million Birds On Minnesota Farms In 2022
ST. PAUL With almost a month since its last recorded case of avian influenza, Minnesota is ending its ban on poultry events and exhibitions beginning Friday, July 1.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health announced the lifting of the ban on Wednesday, June 22.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, has hit 80 sites in Minnesota, affecting almost 3 million birds. The last reported case in the state was on May 31 in a backyard flock in Becker County in northwest Minnesota.
Iowa, the state with the most cases in the 2022 outbreak with more than 13 million birds affected, announced earlier this month that it was ending its ban on poultry exhibitions.
North Dakota reported its last case on June 6 and South Dakota on May 20.
North Dakota extended its exhibit ban on June 3, to be revisited in September.
Nationally, the bird flu has hit 372 flocks over 36 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with more than 40 million birds affected.
Don’t Miss: How Much Do Flu Shots At Cvs Cost
What Can Parents Do To Protect Their Kids
During the flu season that started in 2019, 119 flu-related deaths among children were reported to the CDC a record number for a single season, Walensky said.
In previous flu seasons, 80 percent of pediatric deaths were in children who werent vaccinated. Kids under age 5 can get severely ill.
According to panelist Patricia A. Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP, NFID president-elect and a retired pediatric nurse practitioner at Childrens Minnesota, the last thing we need is a bad flu outbreak on top of COVID-19.
Children ages 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine. And if your children are sick, keep them home from school and other activities.
Encourage adults in your community to get vaccinated as well to build population immunity and better protect young children.
If your children are between 6 months and 8 years of age and have never received a flu vaccine, they will need two doses that should be separated by a month.
If they only received one flu vaccine dose before, theyll also need to get two shots this season.
The flu takes off after Thanksgiving, meaning now is the time to get vaccinated so you can gather safely during the holidays, Stinchfield said.
What You Need To Know
Following are some important tips to prevent the spread of flu virus whether it is the seasonal flu or the Novel H1N1 strain.
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow where fabric can trap germs
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or if that is not available, use hand sanitizer, especially after you cough or sneeze
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home from work, school, and social events if you have the flu
- Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth – germs are likely to spread this way
Recommended Reading: Does Medicare Cover High Dose Flu Shot
When Did The 2015
The timing of flu is unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May. The peak week of flu activity in terms of influenza-like illness for the 2015-2016 season was the week ending March 12, 2016. This is one of the later season peaks on record. Over the last 18 seasons , only three seasons have peaked during March . No season has peaked later than March.
How Effective Was The 2015
CDCs end-of-season influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates for the 2015-2016 season were presented to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on June 22, 2016. CDCs adjusted overall VE estimate against influenza A and B viruses for all ages was 47%. The overall VE against Apdm09 was 41% and the overall VE against influenza B was 55%. This data is consistent with VE observed during previous seasons when vaccine viruses and circulating viruses were similar. These vaccine effectiveness estimates were derived from data collected from the U.S. Flu VE Network from November 2, 2015, through April 15, 2016.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat The Flu Over The Counter
How Is The Flu Different From A Cold
Colds are generally less serious than the flu. With a cold, you’re more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose, while the flu causes body aches, fever, and extreme tiredness. A person with a cold can usually keep up with their normal activities, but someone with the flu can’t. Flu can result in serious health problems like pneumonia, bacterial infections, and hospitalization.
What Can I Do To Protect Myself And Others
- Get vaccinated.
- Avoid being around others who are sick.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, or an alcohol-based, waterless hand sanitizer.
- Protect infants by not exposing them to large crowds or sick family members when flu is in your community.
- Do not share drinking cups and straws.
- Clean commonly touched surfaces often .
You May Like: Can You Take Flu Shot Twice
Report: Flu Season In Minnesota Is Kicking Off With Influenza B
MINNEAPOLIS Flu season in Minnesota is off to an unusual start, with the B strain of influenza causing most of the lab-confirmed cases instead of the usual A strain.
The Star Tribune reports that the Minnesota Department of Health released data Thursday showing that B strains made up about 80% of the positive flu specimens obtained in clinics and hospitals that were tested in the first week of December.
A strains appeared first in the state’s past 10 flu seasons and did most of the damage.
B strains barely registered until February. The B strains have historically spread faster among children.
What Might We See This Flu Season
Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , joined the conference as the keynote speaker.
According to Walensky, flu activity is currently low, but weve already seen the return of other seasonal respiratory viruses, like respiratory syncytial virus .
As COVID vaccination coverage continues to increase and prevention measures are relaxed in some areas, we are preparing for the return of the flu this season, Walensky said.
Due to last years mild flu season, theres likely less population immunity, which could set the country up for a severe flu season.
Its doubly important this year that we build up immunity, Walensky said, adding that now is the time to get the flu vaccine.
Last flu season, 52 percent of the population was vaccinated against the flu, and we are trending similarly this season.
Also Check: Flu Shot Back Pain Symptoms
How Many Antiviral Resistant Viruses Were Detected During The 2015
Between October 4, 2015 and May 21, 2016, CDC and its partner laboratories detected 18 influenza Apdm09 viruses in the United States that were resistant to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and peramivir. All influenza Apdm09 viruses tested were susceptible to zanamivir. High levels of resistance to the adamantanes persisted among influenza A viruses.
Your Support Makes A Difference
MPR News is made by Members. Gifts from individuals fuel the programs that you and your neighbors rely on. Donate today to power news, analysis, and community conversations for all.
- Last seasonHomebound kids shape a mild flu season
Something else stands out to Sanders: So far, 166 people have been hospitalized with the flu this season.
But that’s lower than in previous years when comparable strains of influenza were circulating. Sanders wonders if the unprecedented hospital capacity crunches due to COVID-19 are playing a role in flu admissions.
We don’t totally understand how people are being admitted for flu this year, versus maybe just being under observation or being sent home because of all the COVID, he said.
- Flu season is hereWhy you should get your flu shot this winter
As elsewhere in the United States, infectious disease experts in Minnesota anticipated a flu comeback.
I think it was predictable that we would see a surge of flu partly because of the very mild flu season last year, partly because influenza vaccine uptake has been spotty at best across the country, and partly because of the just sort of inherent variability of flu from year to year, said Dr. Mark Schleiss, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Minnesota.
But with the COVID-19 variants delta and the more contagious omicron circulating widely, Schleiss said it’s a complicated flu season.
Read Also: Prevnar And Flu Shot Together
Flu Season Has Begun In Minnesota
Health officials are encouraging everyone over the age of 6 months to get a flu shot this year.
Flu season has officially begun in Minnesota, but unlike previous years this flu season is coinciding with a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday released its first Weekly Influenza and Respiratory Illness Activity Report of the season, ending for the week of Oct. 17, which says there have been two hospitalizations and one school outbreak related to influenza to date.
In the entire 2019-2020 influenza season in Minnesota, 4,022 people were hospitalized with lab-confirmed influenza, 197 influenza-associated deaths were reported, three pediatric influenza-related deaths were confirmed, 109 outbreaks of influenza were reported in long-term care facilities and 921 outbreaks of influenza-like illness were reported in schools.
In comparison, COVID-19 has killed 2,301 people and has sent 9,226 people to the hospital in Minnesota since March.
As it is quite early in the flu season, influenza activity in Minnesota and nationally remains low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which also tracks influenza.
The CDC recommends everyone who is 6 months and older get a flu vaccine by the end of October, which can help protect against influenza.
Whats Happening With This Years Flu Season
Fevers, sneezes, runny noses and sore throats: the unwelcome symptoms of this years flu season have arrived with gusto as new cases and hospitalizations in Minnesota continue to grow.
Jill Foster, MD, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with University of Minnesota Physicians , expects cases to continue rising. Christmas through January and February are really the worst in terms of case numbers, Dr. Foster says, noting, We are on track for a regular flu season.
You May Like: Rite Aid Flu Shot Record
Find Out What’s Happening In Southwest Minneapoliswith Free Real
Throughout the entirety of last year’s unusually light flu season, just one child died. In contrast, 199 children died from the flu two years ago, and 144 the year before that.
This is setting itself up to be more of a normal flu season, Lynnette Brammer, who tracks flu-like illnesses for the CDC, told The Associated Press.
Flu Season Has Yet To Peak In Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS – If you’ve made it through the winter months so far flu-free, the Minnesota Department of Health says don’t let your guard down.
Influenza is very hard to predict, anyone who tries to predict it, dont trust them, said Dr. Frank Rhame of Allina Health.
While cases have been down this year compared to last year, Dr. Rhame says the flu may just be getting started.
Its gradually ramped up, but its not peaked yet it may be just peaking, but you never can tell what influenza will do, said Dr. Rhame.
He says hes seen plenty of sick patients come through his office recently.
People have what starts as a cold, but then they have 103 fever and they feel like a ton of bricks hit them and thats influenza, he said.
That reflects in new numbers out Thursday from the Minnesota Department of Health. Their weekly flu report shows there is still widespread activity in all parts of the state. Hospitalizations are just over 1,400 people and so far 39 people have died eight this week alone.
Its still pretty bad out there, said Karen Martin, a senior epidemiologist at the Minnesota Department of Health.
We are not seeing the same number of hospitalizations or same number of deaths, but even a milder influenza season is still severe, said Martin.
Doctors say the best defense against the flu is the flu shot, which you can still get this late in the season.
Recommended Reading: Where To Get Flu Shot Nyc
Flu Hospitalizations Deaths Continue Climbing In Minnesota
Josh Skluzacek
After a very quiet start to the influenza season, flu activity has started to increase.
The Minnesota Department of Healths latest flu activity report for the week ending Dec. 25 shows hospitalizations spiked and more deaths were reported, too.
MDHs report lists two new flu-related deaths last week, raising the states total for the season to seven. A week earlier, the state reported three new flu-related deaths, including the lone pediatric death thus far.
Flu-related hospitalizations also jumped for the fourth straight week, with 77 reported last week after 41 were reported the previous week. A total of 166 flu-related hospitalizations have been reported in Minnesota so far this season.
Flu-related school outbreaks stayed steady, with 21 new reports last week, down slightly from 26 the previous week. A total of 109 flu-related school outbreaks have been reported in the state this year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still lists Minnesota as one of the few states with “minimal” influenza activity, despite the recent uptick in reports. However, bordering states are seeing an uptick in flu activity, particularly in Iowa and North Dakota, which are listed in the “moderate” to “high” categories.