The healthcare sector is presently grappling with a potent wave of influenza, particularly affecting children. Notably, this outbreak's severity has repercussions on blood supplies, forcing some hospitals into a state of triage. At the frontlines of this strain, pediatric hospitalizations have soared to the highest rate in a decade and a half, a grim statistic…
The United States, and Colorado in particular, have been under siege by an uncharacteristically harsh flu season, with unprecedented hospital admissions being recorded. The global and local flu outbreak scenario for the 2025–26 season began displaying a startling trend early on, registering an overwhelming influx of patients – both adults and children - to hospitals…
Influenza activity is on the rise across a vast majority of the United States, leading to an increased number of outpatient visits and hospitalizations, some of which have not been observed for several decades. These alarming trends have incited pressing calls for vaccination and swift antiviral treatment from public health officials. Recent federal and state…
An alarming rise in reported cases of influenza leading to fatalities has been observed in North Carolina, with the state's Department of Human and Health Services flagging this as an urgent public health concern. As per the recent data, in just a span of one week, a disconcerting total of 69 adult and 2 pediatric…
With an escalating wave of flu cases across the United States, hospitals are taking drastic action to secure capacity for vital care. As this aggressive flu season swells admission numbers and crowds emergency departments, certain hospitals are making the strategic decision to postpone elective procedures. One such medical institution, UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, announced it will…
The week ending December 27th recorded over 33,000 hospitalizations due to the influenza virus, according to the recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published on January 5th. This current surge, characterized by its steady trajectory, is not expected to level off any soon, as per Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, an Infectious…
As we enter into another flu season, healthcare professionals are already noticing an increase in patients presenting with flu-like symptoms in the Midlands region. With a notable knock-on effect, local hospitals are reporting a 'surge' in cases. Accompanying this rise in patient numbers is a prevalent strain of the influenza virus popularly known as 'influenza…
This year's respiratory virus season witnesses a surge in the cases induced by a mutated version of an influenza A strain. The CDC's latest FluView report indicates more than half of the states in the country reporting 'high' or 'very high' levels of flu-like illnesses for the week ending Dec. 20. It is anticipated that…
Jacie Volkman, Executive Director of Infection Prevention at Prisma Health, emphasizes the centrality of preventive measures to maintain the safety of their healthcare facilities. This proactive approach is essential to furnishing a secure environment for patients to continue receiving superior healthcare. Prisma Health could potentially consider exceptions, particularly in life's final hours. The organization typically…
For infection prevention professionals, it's crucial to stay updated with the prevailing healthcare crises, especially during flu seasons notorious for large influxes of patients. If we examine the current state of affairs, reports highlight that Influenza-like illnesses, not excluding COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), have reached high epidemic proportions, instigating a surge in patient…