November 14, 2024

2024 Fall-Winter Flu Season Update

The flu season in fall and winter of 2024 has seen different types of flu viruses affecting people, which has had an impact on public health. This article will look at the most common flu strains this season, how many people are getting sick, how many are being hospitalized or dying, and what we can do to stay safe from the flu.

Common Flu Strains in 2024

The main flu strains this season are Influenza A (H1N1), Influenza A (H3N2), and Influenza B/Victoria lineage. Scientists have tracked these viruses closely, and they are included in the 2024-2025 flu vaccines. Interestingly, a type called Influenza B/Yamagata hasn’t been found anywhere since March 2020, so it is not included in the current vaccines.

Infection Rates

Overall, the flu isn’t spreading too much across the country, with fewer people testing positive for it than usual. However, there are some early signs that more people are starting to get sick. As of November 2, 2024, Canada has reported 1,180 cases of the flu, with 91% of those being Influenza A. Of those, 79% were the H1N1 strain.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at least 35 million people have gotten sick from the flu this season.

Hospitalization and Death Rates

So far, the number of people being hospitalized or dying from the flu is quite low but steady, and predicted to increase. In Canada, the numbers are challenging to quantify at this time. However, In the U.S., the CDC estimates around 400,000 hospitalizations and about 25,000 deaths related to the flu this season already.

How to Stay Safe from the Flu

To avoid getting the flu, here are a few helpful tips:

Get Vaccinated: Getting a flu shot every year is one of the best ways to prevent getting sick. The vaccines for 2024-2025 will help protect against the main flu strains, and are now available at clinics, pharmacies, and some work place occupational health offices.

Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap and water, use hand sanitizer, and try not to touch your face with dirty hands to help stop the virus from spreading. Keep hand sanitizer in your pocket or in your bag at all times.

Clean contact surfaces: Cold hard surfaces like keyboards, mouse, desks, handles (door handles, grocery cart handles, phone cradles/handles, transit handles and bars) and high traffic areas like the Gym, can transmit virus for upto many hours. Use a spray sanitizer to clean surfaces, or wipe down thoroughly before making contact. If that's possible then use sanitizer immediately after touching these surfaces.

Use Respiratory Etiquette: When you cough or sneeze, use a tissue or cover your mouth and nose with your elbow to keep germs from spreading. "Cough and sneeze in your sleeve"!

Avoid Close Contact: Stay away from sick people, and if you are feeling unwell, try to keep your distance from others to prevent spreading the flu. Wearing a mask in a very crowded area may also reduce the chances of catching a virus.

Stay Home When Sick: If you have flu-like symptoms, it’s best to stay home so you don’t spread the virus to others.

Antiviral Medications: People who are at a higher risk for serious illness can get antiviral medicines from a doctor to help treat the flu.

In conclusion, the flu season of 2024 has seen several flu strains circulating, with persistent rates of sickness, hospitalization, and death. Good hand hygiene especially with hand sanitizer is a great defence against contracting the Flu. Vaccination is key for preventing the flu, along with practicing good hygiene and using proper respiratory habits. By following these steps, everyone can help keep themselves and others healthy during flu seasonhttps://data.who.int/dashboards/covid19/data.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/flu-summary-2023-2024.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-statement-seasonal-influenza-vaccine-2024-2025.html

https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2024-week-37.html

https://health-infobase.canada.ca/respiratory-virus-surveillance/influenza.html

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/2024-2025.html