North Carolina health authorities have reported an additional 12 fatalities due to influenza over the past week, resulting in a total of 39 deaths thus far this flu season. Dr. David Weber, the Department of Infection Prevention’s Medical Director and associate Chief Medical Officer at UNC Hospitals, indicated a significant surge in flu cases and other respiratory ailments.
According to Dr. Weber, the state is currently experiencing a recurrence of the flu epidemic witnessed over the past few years. However, the accumulated count is anticipated to reach its peak between late January to mid-February. As a result of this spike, numerous health facilities in the Triangle area have set up visitor restrictions to control the virus’s propagation.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has disclosed that nearly a quarter of all emergency room visits as of December 31 could be attributed to respiratory viruses, primarily the flu. This aligns closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s estimate that at least 7.5 million individuals across the nation have contracted the flu this season, according to the data gathered until December 20.
Dr. Weber notes that these surges are often due to public gatherings during the holidays and travel, which could further escalate the situation in the upcoming weeks. The majority of the cases reported are due to a new strain of the flu, Subclade-K, which is not currently included in available vaccinations.
Despite this new variant, healthcare professionals advocate for flu vaccination as a beneficial health measure. Furthermore, they provide reminders about necessary precautions such as hand sanitation, taking rest if unwell, and the necessity of wearing masks in public areas if symptoms appear.