The flu and flu-like illness activity is high in Massachusetts at the start of the year, said Board of Health Member Amanda Ritvo at the Board of Health’s meeting on Jan. 13.
“It is as bad as everyone says,” she said. “It seems like symptoms are more severe and lasting longer than in typical years.”
Ritvo added she has experienced this in her own work as a physician and cited data from the Center for Disease Control, with the most up-to-date data coming from the week of Dec. 29.
Currently, the percentage of illnesses with flu-like symptoms, categorized as outpatient visits to the Doctor for fever, a sore throat, or coughing, is at its highest since approximately 1997 at 11%, Rivto said.
She said the percentage of respiratory samples for Flu A indicated a positive result was 32.9%; however, it decreased to 24.7%.
This decrease was likely caused by a decrease in the reporting of positive tests over the holidays rather than a true decline, according to Ritvo.
“It would be great if we’re past the peak, but that doesn’t seem likely. It’s more likely that we have a few more weeks left of high flu activity,” she said.
According to Ritvo, in this flu season, there have been 4 pediatric and 66 adult deaths caused by the flu in Massachusetts.
She added the flu vaccine is not going to prevent a person from getting the flu, but will prevent severe illness.
As of December, the U.S. vaccination rate is at 43.5%, Ritvo said.
“In addition to vaccination, kind of standard, hand washing is important, trying not to touch your face in public. … And staying home when sick to prevent transmission to others,” she said.
