The United States is grappling with a concerning surge in flu cases, driven primarily by type A influenza viruses. Public health officials have identified 68 cases of the H5N1 strain, commonly known as bird flu, marking a significant health concern nationwide. New York has responded by shutting down live poultry markets in three boroughs for thorough cleaning. Meanwhile, Minnesota has urged healthcare providers to prioritize testing type A flu patients for H5N1 within 24 hours. School districts in Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas have also closed temporarily to curb the spread of the virus.
Type A influenza encompasses various strains, including those responsible for past pandemics like the 2009 swine flu and the current H5N1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 7.75 percent of patients visiting emergency rooms in the week leading up to February 1 exhibited flu-like symptoms—a record high since data tracking began in 1997. In response, hospitals across nine states have reinstated mask mandates.
New York's health department issued an alert on February 3, urging physicians to test type A influenza patients for H5N1 within 24 hours of admission. This move follows a nationwide Health Alert Network notice from the CDC on January 16, which called for expedited testing of hospitalized flu patients across all states. The CDC estimates that more than 24 million individuals have contracted the flu this year, resulting in 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths.
As of now, at least three schools are experiencing disruptions due to the rise in flu cases. The situation is compounded by high or very high flu levels in 45 states, including New York. Positive swabs for H5N1 are being sent for further analysis in hospital or state laboratories to confirm infections.
Despite the alarming increase in flu cases, Covid-19 cases are on the decline, with a positivity rate of 5.3 percent as of January 25. However, the focus remains on managing the current bird flu outbreak to prevent further escalation.
