New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) The flu season in the US, this year, has claimed more than a hundred children’s lives, according to latest estimates from the country’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The US has recently been facing a tripledemic of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Covid-19 infections. While RSV and Covid cases have come down, flu cases are still rising.
“Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and is increasing in some areas of the country. Covid-19 activity is decreasing in many areas of the country. RSV activity is decreasing in all areas of the country,” the CDC said in its weekly FluView update.
H1N1 strain (Swine flu) was the most reported influenza virus, followed by H3N2. About 10 kids died in the period between December and March, and raised the season’s total to 103, the CDC said.
Of the 10, six died due to influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2 strain), four due to influenza B.
According to experts, lack of vaccination, and mistaking it for another cold virus are the major reasons for flu deaths among kids.
Data shows that just over 50 per cent of children took the flu vaccination this year.
“There is a popular misconception among families that flu is just another cold virus, and that it’s no big deal,” Dr Kristina Bryant, a paediatric infectious disease physician at Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky, was quoted as saying by NBC news.
The contagious respiratory illness that infects the nose, and throat, affects children badly. It raises the risk of compromising breathing as the kids have smaller airways. As the virus spreads and inflames the airways, breathing becomes difficult, increasing the risk of hospitalisation and death.
The CDC recommends annual flu shots for everyone six months and older, which can halve the risk of hospitalisation and even curb the risk of death.
–IANS
rvt/prw
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by BhaskarLive.in and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of BhaskarLive.in We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, BhaskarLive.in takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
