Flu surges in Louisiana as health department barred from promoting flu shots

May Be Interested In:Valve’s new SteamOS compatibility ratings go beyond the Steam Deck


The statement seemed to offer an assurance that other vaccines were not subject to the new restrictions. “Changes regarding seasonal vaccines like COVID and influenza do not change the Department’s policy or messaging regarding childhood immunizations,” it read.

This flu season, the health department has reportedly canceled standard vaccination events and clinics. On social media, the department has avoided mentioning flu shots in posts about the flu, instead advising people to wash their hands and cover their coughs.

While Louisiana is seeing an early surge in influenza, the rest of the country is on an upward trend in what appears to be a normal-looking season so far. Nationally, the percentage of doctor visits that were for ILIs is 3.8 percent, with the upswing in ILI activity similar to what was seen in the 2019–2020 flu season at this point in the year. At the peak of flu seasons, the percentage of visits for ILIs usually tops out around 7 percent to 8 percent.

US ILI activity charted by week across several flu seasons


Credit:

CDC

Two children died last week of flu, bringing the season’s total pediatric deaths to four. In the 2023–2024 season, 206 children died with influenza-associated disease. Most of the deaths occurred in early 2024.

COVID-19 is also ramping up a winter wave. While standard disease burden indicators—hospitalization and deaths—are low, they’re trending positive. Wastewater surveillance, meanwhile, is showing a steep incline, with levels of the virus being detected at “moderate” levels.

share Share facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

CHERIE CURRIE Announces Her Final Australian Tour - Spotlight Report
CHERIE CURRIE Announces Her Final Australian Tour – Spotlight Report
Veronica Whittal, 49, of Tilbury has pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 in connection to more than $300,000 that went missing from the United Way of Chatham-Kent. (Daily News file photo)
‘I feel terrible’ — Employee tearful sorry over United Way $300K fraud
Are Hormonal Contraceptives Tied to Postpartum Depression?
Are Hormonal Contraceptives Tied to Postpartum Depression?
Nanoleaf | TechRadar
Nanoleaf | TechRadar
Clockwise from left: British pastry chef Nicola Lamb, fruity marshmallows, miso walnut double-thick chocolate-chip cookies, and caramel-poached oranges with sabayon and langues de chat
Dessert recipes from Nicola Lamb’s Sift
The ultimate films of 2024 by genre
The ultimate films of 2024 by genre
Headline Stories: Global Events in the Spotlight | © 2024 | Daily News