Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss How the Flu Season Is Still in Effect
This year’s influenza outbreak continues to increase nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reports more than 124,283 confirmed cases and 46 states with widespread flu activity through March 9. In New Jersey, there are 11,303 confirmed cases.
There have been 68 influenza-associated pediatric deaths during the current season. The 2017-2018 flu season was the most deadly in decades with more than 80,000 deaths, including 185 pediatric flu deaths.
“There has been an uptick in the H3N2 strain of flu. Over the past week, we were seeing H1N1, spurring a wave of people getting ill,” said David Cennimo, an infectious disease expert at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “The concern is that, historically, the vaccine effectiveness for H3N2 has been lower and it caused a more severe illness last year. Although it feels late, I think we will be seeing flu for a couple of weeks more. If someone has not had the flu vaccine, they could and should still get one.”
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