CDC Says Flu Activity Is Increasing and Urges Vaccinations 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) latest update, flu activity increased again last week, with all three strains of the virus circulating (influenza A, which consists of H1N1 and H3N2, and influenza B). Typically, most influenza B activity occurs toward the end of the flu season, but last season saw very little influenza B activity and was marked by two waves of influenza A, the first from H1N1 and the second from H3N2. Overall, flu illnesses are at relatively low levels for the year, and only two states, Louisiana and Maryland, are reporting widespread activity. The CDC said it’s too early to characterize the timing of the flu season or predict what strains will dominate and how severe illnesses will be. In the meantime, it urges people to get vaccinated. Read the article at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.