EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:
The U.S. flu season is off to a very early start, and it’s quickly intensifying.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday posted its latest update, reporting that seven states were reporting high flu activity last week, up from two the week before.
The CDC also says that more than 3% of doctors’ office visits last week were for flu-like illness, surpassing a baseline that can signify when flu season is really underway.
The surge began in the nation’s South and West, and the states seeing high flu activity so far include California, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, according to the CDC.
The early-season flu activity is higher than what’s usually seen at this point of the year, though it’s not clear that will mean this season will be worse than others, according to CDC’s update.
But not a good sign: The flu hospitalization rate in mid-October was the highest seen that early in an autumn in more than 15 years, noted Dr. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins University, during a recent media briefing.
The CDC estimates that at least 2.6 million illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations, and 2,100 deaths so far this season are tied to flu infections.
People should still get a flu shot if they haven't received one already.
___
READ AP'S STORY
The US flu season is off to a very early start. It’s targeting the South and West now
___
RESOURCES FOR COVERING FLU SEASON
— Once flu season starts, the CDC updates its FluView data every Friday that includes flu activity in various states. Click the FluView icon. Under the Illness header, click Activity Map. There will be a chart showing flu activity across jurisdictions. Scroll down a bit further and you'll see a national map indicating flu levels by state.
— You can view influenza vaccination data using the CDC's FluVaxView. Scroll to the Results section and click on the different tabs to view charts historical vaccination data by age group and state. The state charts show how they compare to U.S. numbers overall. You can also use the FluVaxView interactive.
— Flu season is long, and checking in weekly with the CDC and state numbers can help you with your reporting now and in coming weeks.
— Get familiar with your state's public health website and where they post flu season updates. Be in touch with state and local health officials about flu season. Do they have data on vaccination rates so far? What kind of public health messaging have they been putting out? If you live an area already being hit hard, talk to hospitals, doctors and pharmacies about what they are seeing. How are assisted living facilities and nursing homes addressing the flu?
— An expert in AP's story notes that it's not unusual for Louisiana to be among the first state with high flu numbers each season because of low vaccination rates, poverty and healthcare access issues. Are there systemic issues in your area that might make a bad flu season worse? Talk to infectious disease experts with local or regional knowledge.
___
Localize It is a resource produced regularly by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to the Local News Success team at localizeit@ap.org. View guides published in the last 30 days here.
