The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday that the flu season kickstarted earlier than expected and is rapidly spreading in 29 out of the 54 states and territories. At the same time last year, it has spread to only four states.
The alarming announcement was made following the death of 11 children this year due to flu. The CDC warned that vulnerable people should be keen in preventing contracting the virus especially for pregnant women and the elderly.
Earlier this month, federal health officials and the World Health Organization have warned the public that the virus that is spreading this year has mutated. Hence, the vaccine given last year does not provide much protection.
According to Dr. Carol J. Baker, executive director for the Center for Awareness and Research at Texas Children's Hospital, told NBC News, "Influenza vaccination is still the best way to prevent the flu - the vaccine is safe and flu kills."
Most of the patients who have been hospitalized with severe cases of flu are those who are included in the vulnerable groups including the very young, very old and pregnant.
Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told CBS News that the pattern of this year's outbreak, "There's almost like a Christmas tree right in the middle of the country of the hot spots for disease."
Influenza or commonly called as 'flu' is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. The most common symptoms include: a high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, and feeling tired. These may last from a couple of days to even weeks.
An average of about 23,000 people die of the flu each year, although the number varies extensively depending on the length and severity of the flu season.