Surge in flu season could intensify in the U.S. after holiday gatherings

Flu season continues to intensify in the US, and holiday gatherings could make it worse

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – This has been the worst flu season in more than a decade, and it continues to intensify.

Multiple respiratory viruses are circulating at high levels nationwide.

33 states and counting are experiencing “High” or “Very high” respiratory virus activity.

Seasonal flu activity is still “Elevated across the country.”

In the week ending on November 19th, nine-point-four percent of deaths nationwide were due to pneumonia, influenza or covid-19.

That’s well above the seasonal baseline of about 6%.

Flu and RSV, another respiratory virus that especially affects children, have hit harder and earlier than usual this year.

According the CDC, just 12% of eligible people in the U.S. have gotten their updated covid-19 booster.

Flu shots are lagging, too, with millions fewer vaccinations at this point in the season than in the past two years.

There is no vaccine for RSV.