U.S. health officials say at least seven states are seeing high levels of the flu and that cases are rising in other parts of the country.

The U.S. flu season is underway, with at least seven states reporting high levels of illnesses and cases rising in other parts of the country, health officials say.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted new flu data on Friday, showing very high activity last week in Louisiana, and high activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico and South Carolina. It was also high in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, the U.S. territory where health officials declared an influenza epidemic earlier this month.

“We’re off to the races,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious diseases expert

Traditionally, the winter flu season ramps up in December or January. But it took off in October last year, and is making a November entrance this year.

    • darthskull
      2·
      1 year ago

      How effective is it this year, anyone know? I got mine and the new COVID shot around the same time early October

      • ImFresh3x@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        1 year ago

        Depends on the strain. But on average it’s about 50% this year it seems. Lowering my odds of losing a week by 50% seems worthwhile for me though. I hate being sick. And I hate getting behind.