Flu is off to an alarming start, CDC says, with cases picking up in Massachusetts

Dec. 5--The flu is off to its fastest start in over a decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns, with "widespread" activity reported in Massachusetts.

"Last year marked the longest flu season in a decade, and now we are seeing this year's flu season off to an alarmingly fast start," said U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), chairwoman of the Energy and Commerce Committee that met Wednesday for a hearing on the flu with health officials.

Last year, the flu caused more than 48 million illnesses and over 79,000 deaths, according to the CDC, and typically hits babies and the elderly the hardest.

There is already significant flu activity in 24 states across the country -- up from 15 states last week -- meaning this year's flu season, which is starting earlier than it has in 10 years, is spreading quickly.

Dr. Paul Sax, clinical director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital said "it's picking up" in the Bay State, too.

"It's not going full speed yet but when you start to see flu activity tick up in other states it's an indication that it's going to start spreading soon," Sax said.

Sax said in previous years, an early flu season has led to a severe flu season, but it is too early to tell how this year's illness will hit patients.

Last year, Massachusetts had the highest vaccination rate for children at 81% and the second highest rate for adults at 53%, according to the CDC.

Dr. Robert Kadlec of the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, speaking at the hearing Wednesday, said flu is a "serious threat to human health" and a "national security threat."

"The key thing here is a pandemic ... there is no singular threat that could devastate our country through our health and our economy and our social institutions than pandemic influenza," said Kadlec.

Massachusetts has "widespread" flu activity, according to the CDC, which means outbreaks of flu are in at least half the regions of the state.

Since October, there have been 268 lab-confirmed flu cases in the state, according to the Department of Public Health, although most patients do not get tested, so the number could be much higher. Flu activity is on par with last year at this time.

Dr. Larry Madoff, medical director of the Massachusetts Bureau of Infectious Disease said, "This is the time of year we expect to start seeing flu. We always take flu very seriously -- it can be a serious and life-threatening illness. So far, the season looks typical, but it could change and we can't predict what will happen."

Most flu activity in Boston happens from October to March. Last year there were 3,852 reported cases of flu in the city and 15% of those patients were hospitalized, according to the Boston Public Health Commission.

The flu vaccine is very effective and it isn't too late to get immunized. Sax said the "holy grail," which is a universal flu vaccine, is already being studied and patients could see major breakthroughs within the next 5 years.

You can get the flu vaccine at your local pharmacy, doctor's office or even in some workplaces. Most insurance providers cover the complete cost of the vaccine.

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