A severe flu season is gripping the United States, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The season began later than usual but has reached “high severity” levels, with outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms comparable to those experienced during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
The CDC reports that children are particularly affected, with 98 child deaths attributed to flu this season. Additionally, there has been a surge in severe neurological complications among kids, including seizures and hallucinations.
In response to the high rates of illness, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently canceled an advisory committee meeting to determine the recommended flu vaccine strain for next year’s season.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-this-years-flu-season-is-the-worst-in-more-than-a-decade