New York City - Massive Flu Spike
'20.01.2020'
Source: nypost.com
In the week ending January 11, New York State recorded 11 cases of influenza. This is three times more than in the same period a year earlier. This is with reference to the Department of Health of the state reports the publication New York Post.
It is noted that the situation began to worsen after Christmas: the number of patients gradually increased, and this growth has not yet been slowed down. As of January 11, 11 051 cases of influenza were recorded.
In the same period of 2019, 3 cases of influenza were reported in New York State.
“We usually don't see such a dramatic increase in cases in just a couple of weeks,” said Dr. Theresa Madaline, epidemiologist at Montefiore Health System.
The state has 6219 outbreaks of flu every week, including New York. Thus, 10 outbreaks were recorded in urban nursing homes, the source said.
CityMD emergency centers saw a 33 percent increase in flu cases in January 2020 over the same period last year. “I think we are still starting the flu season early,” said Dr. Frank Illuzzi, chief physician at CityMD. "I expect to see an increase in the number of flu cases in the coming days and weeks."
Who is at risk and how to protect yourself:
Illuzzi encouraged influenza patients to take antiviral drugs and stay at home. “They need rest and plenty of fluids. They don't need to infect other people, ”the doctor said.
Recall that earlier the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that parents of children 6 months of age and older should be vaccinated against seasonal flu at the end of October each year.
The immediate environment of the child before 6 months, including his mother, should also receive a flu shot - for the safety of the child, the report said.
Other people at high risk for influenza complications include adults 65 years of age or older, pregnant women, and those with asthma, cardiovascular diseases, diabetics, people with HIV / AIDS, cancer patients, and children with neurological diseases.
As ForumDaily New York wrote earlier:
- 11 year old New York the boy died after a severe flu outbreakleading to cardiac arrest. And although the teenager was vaccinated, this did not save his life.
- In November 2019, it was registered in New York baby's first flu death this season.
- Also recall that healthcare in the US is expensive. So, treatment of a common cold cost an American $ 28 thousand.
