The U.S. flu season is underway, with at least seven states reporting high levels of illnesses and cases rising in other parts of the country, health officials say. AdvertisementTraditionally, the winter flu season ramps up in December or January. Flu activity was moderate but rising in New York City, Arkansas, California, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Tracking during flu season relies in part on reports of people with flu symptoms who go to doctor’s offices or hospitals; many people with the flu are not tested, so their infections aren’t lab-confirmed. Flu vaccination rates are better than rates for the other two main respiratory viruses — COVID-19 and RSV.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 19, 2023 08:03 UTC