LOUISIANA, USA — Louisiana is having one of the worst flu seasons of any state.
Friday afternoon, the Louisiana Health Department released its latest weekly flu report. It shows about 14% of people who sought emergency medical care in Louisiana during the week ending on December 23rd did so because of a flu-like illness.
The rate was around 6% during the same week in 2022. The rate is also around 6% for the U.S. overall. Most of the states with the highest per-capita number of cases are in the South.
"This is really a little bit higher than what we've seen in the last few years," said WWL Louisiana Medical Correspondent Dr. Corey Hebert. He believes it is due, in part, to people gathering in larger groups now that the pandemic has waned.
COVID-19 cases have also been steadily rising, though, and the number of RSV cases are still high. Combined with the flu, the three respiratory viruses represent a triple threat for vulnerable patients.
One child has already died of the flu in Louisiana this season. The LDH did not release any information about them, but the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate reports that they were a first-grader from Baton Rouge. They are one of 20 children that have died in the U.S. from the flu this season.
Older adults are also at risk of complications from the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. "About 10,000 people over the age of 65 die from RSV every year. They don't get it as much, but they die from it," said Dr. Hebert.
The most serious symptoms are a high fever and trouble breathing. If you or someone in your care is experiencing these, he said, "Do not hesitate. Go to the ER. It will probably be okay, but you cannot take that risk."
To stay healthy throughout this respiratory virus season, be sure to get-up-to-date on your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. You can also get as much fresh air as possible, stay home if you have symptoms, and wear a mask if you go to a gathering where someone is sick.
But the most important preventative step is also the simplest. "I need you to wash your hands. This is what we're not doing anymore," said Dr. Hebert.
Flu season typically begins to wane in early spring. In the past few years, cases have flattened by May.
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