Worst flu outbreak in 15 years is still a concern

Regional incidence of positive influenza cases, up to Feb. 15, 2025.

By JEFF MORRIS

The outbreak of influenza this flu season is the worst in 15 years, according to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Although the rate of flu cases appears to have dropped in the week between reports on Feb. 7 and 15, this year’s outbreak is still cause for concern. The Recorder was able to obtain advice from Northern Westchester Hospital on how to deal with the outbreak.

The CDC reported in the first week of February that there had been some 24 million cases of flu nationwide since October, including 310,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths. By the time CDC issued its latest U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report for the week ending Feb. 15, it said that 18 pediatric deaths associated with seasonal influenza virus infection were reported that week, bringing the 2024-2025 season total to 86 pediatric deaths. 

“CDC estimates that there have been at least 33 million illnesses, 430,000 hospitalizations, and 19,000 deaths from flu so far this season,” said the report. 

The CDC classified the current flu season as a “high severity season” for the first time since 2017-2018.

On the state level, the New York State Department of Health weekly influenza survey said the week ending Feb. 15 was the 10th consecutive week of widespread activity reported this season. It reported laboratories tested 77,953 specimens for influenza, of which 42,012 (54 percent) were positive, a 15 percent decrease in positive cases compared with the previous week, while the number of patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza was 2,334, an 18 percent decrease in hospitalized cases compared with the previous week. 

NYSDOH said there were 42 outbreaks reported in hospitals and 44 outbreaks reported in nursing homes, a 3 percent decrease in hospital and nursing home outbreaks compared with the previous week. Season to date, a total of 708 outbreaks have been reported from hospitals and nursing homes in New York state.

Those figures are in line with the national trend. While CDC said that seasonal influenza activity remains elevated, its Feb. 15 data showed outpatient visits to a health care provider for respiratory illness were trending downward. “Outpatient respiratory illness decreased slightly this week compared to last week, but remains above the national baseline for the 12th consecutive week,” it said. “All 10 HHS regions are above their region-specific baselines.”

Evidence of the overall severity of the outbreak was presented by NYSDOH. 

“According to data from the National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Surveillance System,” it said, “the percentage of deaths due to flu during the week ending Feb. 8, 2025, was 2.6 percent, much higher than what has been seen in recent years and the highest peak observed since the 2017-2018 season (2.5 percent).” The state report went on, “This follows an increasing trend and is higher than the percentage of deaths due to COVID-19 during the same week (1.4 percent). During the week ending Jan. 25, 2025, the percentage of deaths due to influenza surpassed the percentage of deaths due to COVID-19 in a week for the first time ever.”

CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual influenza (flu) vaccine. It said there are prescription flu antiviral drugs that can treat flu illness; those should be started as early as possible and are especially important for patients at higher risk for severe illness. The federal department said influenza viruses are among several viruses contributing to respiratory disease activity, and that it is providing updated, integrated information about COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity on a weekly basis.

Northern Westchester Hospital reported it had 100 percent team participation in its flu prevention program and 86 percent of its staff is vaccinated for the flu. Nonso Osakwe, M.D., the hospital’s chief of infectious disease, provided the following advice.

Vaccination

— Get vaccinated annually. Vaccination is the best way to reduce your risk of getting the flu and spreading it to others.

— People at higher risk of complications, including older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions, should get vaccinated as early as possible and should be prioritized.

— If you’re pregnant and in your third trimester, talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated to protect yourself and your newborn.

Preventing the Spread

— Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

— When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow. Dispose of used tissues immediately.

— Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

— If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

— Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

Managing Flu Symptoms

— If you get the flu, stay home until your fever has gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and your cough is improving.

— If you›re at high risk for flu complications, contact your doctor promptly about antiviral treatment. Antiviral medications can be most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset. But even if you are above 48 hours of symptom onset, still speak to your doctor as antiviral medication may still be an option.

— Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids to support your recovery.