Map Reveals US States Where Flu Rates Are Spiking

The deeper we head into flu season, the higher rates of infection grow, as a map produced by Newsweek shows the most at-risk states and cities in the United States.

Rates of flu in the U.S. are highest in the District of Columbia, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As the colder months bring influenza, a weekly CDC report called FluView has indicated which states have been hit hardest by flu season, with high levels in Louisiana, Georgia and Arizona.

New Jersey, Tennessee, Alabama and California have moderate levels, the report found, with them being slightly less—but still moderate—in New York City, Texas, New Mexico and Nevada.

Elsewhere, flu rates remain low to minimal, with particularly little flu in Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, West Virginia, Delaware, Vermont and Hawaii.

FluView is a weekly surveillance report by the CDC and many collaborators in state and local health departments, laboratories, statistical offices, healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, emergency departments and care facilities.

This data is preliminary, subject to change and based on information from the last week of November, ending November 30.

Overall, it suggests that nationwide rates of flu are on the rise; 3.2 percent of all visits to a healthcare provider were due to respiratory illnesses during that week, compared to 3 percent the previous week and 2.7 percent the week before.

It includes data on anyone with flu-like symptoms, so it reports on both influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

Symptoms of flu include high fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Occasionally, people with flu may experience vomiting or diarrhea.

Influenza can be treated with flu antiviral drugs and, for most people, symptoms will improve on their own in a few days.

However, the virus can lead to serious complications in vulnerable groups, including young children, pregnant people, adults over the age of 65, people with weakened immune systems and people with chronic health conditions ,such as asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease, kidney or liver disorders, and others.

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccines for every person aged 6 months and older, as “the first and most important action in reducing the risk of flu and potentially serious outcomes.”

But vaccinations are particularly important for those in vulnerable groups, and those who work with or care for people in vulnerable groups, such as healthcare workers and parents of young children.

Other ways to prevent the spread of flu include avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying at home if you are sick, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, frequently washing hands with soap and water, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

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