CDC: Flu hospitalizations continue to rise

The flu hospitalization rate rose to 31.5 per 100,000 people in second week of January from 22.7 the prior week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. That’s high but lower than the rate reported in the same week of the 2014-2015 season, the agency said. H3N2 A viruses are predominating this flu season as they were then, and have been associated with more hospitalizations and deaths in older adults and young children. A total of 8,990 flu hospitalizations and 30 flu-associated pediatric deaths have been reported since last October. CDC recommends treating all hospitalized, severely ill and high-risk patients who have suspected or confirmed influenza with antiviral medications as soon as possible. The agency also continues to recommend flu vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, since flu viruses are likely to continue circulating for weeks.