Epidemic Levels: Tens of Thousands Infected as this Year’s Flu Vaccine Totally Ineffective
The 2017-2018 flu season has shown to be particularly nasty this year —in part, they believe, because of a less effective vaccine. Each month, flu case have multiplied and CDC has already warned this year’s flu will be worst than the last. To date, 23 states are showing widespread influenza levels and many believe this season could easily reach epidemic levels.
Headlines across the country are indicative of epidemic fears.
9 Texas schools have closed due to flu outbreaks this month
Several Tennessee schools closed due to the flu
Flu has sent more than three times the number of people to the hospital in Colorado than usual
The University of Chicago hospital is even taking steps to restrict visitors. In a recent article, the hospital “will not allow children under age 12 and those with a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion will not be allowed to visit patients.
U.S. not prepared for a flu pandemic, experts warn
Texas flu epidemic spreading rampantly
An Ineffective Flu Shot Has Led to Health Concerns
The results of tests performed by public health laboratories, as well as the age group distribution of influenza positive tests, during the current week are summarized below.
Week 50
Data Cumulative since
October 1, 2017 (Week 40)
No. of specimens tested
1,623
15,994
No. of positive specimens*
795
5,046
Positive specimens by type/subtype
Influenza A
689 (86.7%)
4,387 (86.9%)
A(H1N1)pmd09
58 (8.4%)
366 (8.3%)
H3N2
611 (88.7%)
3,965 (90.4%)
Subtyping not performed
20 (2.9%)
56 (1.3%)
Influenza B
106 (13.3%)
659 (13.1%)
Yamagata lineage
75 (70.8%)
438 (66.5%)
Victoria lineage
10 (9.4%)
39 (5.9%)
Lineage not performed
21 (19.8%)
182 (27.6%)
*The percent of specimens testing positive for influenza is not reported because public health laboratories often receive samples that have already tested positive for influenza at a clinical laboratory and therefore percent positive would not be a valid indicator of influenza activity. Additional information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/overview.htm.
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