The flu season in California has reached critical levels, with hospitalizations on the rise and concerns over the prolonged circulation of the virus. This season has proven to be more potent than any experienced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a positivity rate of 27.8% for flu tests at the state’s clinical sentinel labs. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious-disease expert at UC San Francisco, noted that this is the first time since the pandemic began that the focus has shifted primarily to flu rather than COVID-19.
Pediatric flu deaths have also been a cause for alarm, with at least 10 reported in California, including three teenagers in San Diego County. Dr. Ankita Kadakia, the county’s interim public health officer, emphasized the importance of flu vaccination, highlighting that none of the affected teens had been vaccinated. Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 11,000 flu-related deaths this season, including 47 children, and 250,000 hospitalizations.
A concerning trend has been the low vaccination rate against flu for children this winter, with only 44.5% of children age 17 and younger vaccinated nationally. In California, the vaccination rate stands at 47.7%, the lowest since at least the 2019-20 season. Health officials stress the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu, especially given the severity of this year’s flu strains.
The current flu strains circulating in California are H1N1 and H3N2, both known for causing serious illness, particularly in children. Genetic analysis of influenza type A viruses revealed that 54% were H1N1 and 46% were H3N2. While bird flu viruses have not been identified in humans, cases of bird flu remain low, with 38 confirmed cases in California.
Despite the high flu activity, COVID-19 rates are low statewide, as are RSV rates. Emergency room visits for flu are high, while hospital admissions have surged, reaching the highest rate of the season at 10.1 new admissions per 100,000 people. The situation is similar in Los Angeles County, where the flu season has been the most potent post-COVID-19 emergency era.
The test positivity rate for flu in L.A. County has been above 20% for seven consecutive weeks, with the most recent rate hitting 28.83%. Emergency room visits are very high for flu nationwide, moderate for RSV, and low for COVID-19. The positivity rate for flu tests nationally is 31.6%, with RSV at 6.6% and COVID-19 at 4.9%.
Experts caution that the sustained surge in flu cases could lead to a second peak in hospitalizations. Health officials urge residents to get vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, and RSV to protect themselves and others. Vaccines are available for all three illnesses, with recommendations for different age groups and risk factors.
The decline in flu vaccination rates, both in California and globally, has raised concerns among health experts. The rise in vaccine skepticism, fueled by misinformation and hesitancy, poses a threat to public health. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong emphasized the importance of vaccination, especially for children, in combating the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses.
As the flu season continues to pose challenges for California, health officials urge residents to take preventive measures and get vaccinated to reduce the impact of respiratory illnesses on communities. Stay informed, stay safe, and protect yourself and your loved ones during this critical flu season.