Surge in Flu, RSV, and Bird Flu Cases: Health Authorities Urge Vaccinations
Los Angeles, CA – the number of flu patients in Los Angeles and across the country is surging rapidly. Health authorities are urging everyone aged six months and older too get vaccinated against the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19.
Jenny Hwang, a 43-year-old resident, recently took her five-year-old child to the emergency room. “The child continued to cough, and the body temperature rose to 105 degrees,” Hwang recalled. Fortunately, it wasn’t RSV.
Peter Shin, a 38-year-old professional nurse, echoed the severity of the situation. “Ther are too many patients with the flu. This flu is quite severe, with our familyS vomiting for about a week,” Shin said.
According to the Los Angeles County Public Health Bureau, among the 6,668 patients who had the flu in the fourth week of January, 1,913 were confirmed, with a 29% confirmed rate. After a dip in early January, the confirmation rate has been increasing rapidly.
As of the end of January, 12% of the patients who visited the hospital emergency room were diagnosed with the flu, twice as high as the 6% rate from last year. CBS News warns that 41 states, including California, are experiencing “high or very high” flu activity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attributes the increase in flu infections to low vaccination rates. According to the CDC, the vaccination rate is 44% for adults and 44.5% for children, far below the target of 70%.
Lee Young-jik,an internal medicine specialist,advises,”The weaker the immunity,the more vulnerable to virus infection.if you have severe symptoms,you should get a doctor’s care and take Tamiflu,an antiviral drug,within 72 hours.”
Increasingly, RSV infections that target the elderly are also on the rise. As of the end of January, the LA County RSV confirmation rate was 8%, double the 4% rate from November last year. RSV causes serious respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia, especially in infants, and is crucial to prevent and treat quickly.Tiffany Kim, a 70-year-old resident, shared her experience. “RSV continues to cough enough to breathe when it is flu, similar symptoms. After a hard time, the vaccine is right,” Kim said.
Additionally, the Los angeles County Public Health Bureau warned about the respiratory disease human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and norovirus, which causes winter food poisoning. They advised caution against these infections.
Meanwhile,the Los Angeles Times reported that bird flu (H5N1,H5N9) continues to spread throughout California.As of February 3,the newspaper reported that bird flu was confirmed in more than 100 commercial poultry farms in Cahuzhou,exposing 23 million birds to the virus. Notably, 67 people (1 death) were infected with bird flu, with 50% of them residing in California. The first bird flu infection in Los Angeles County was reported in December last year.
The Los angeles County Public Health Bureau emphasized the importance of not consuming unpasteurized milk and less cooked animal products to protect against bird flu. They also advised keeping pets away from wild animals.
Key Points Summary
| Virus/Infection | Confirmation rate | Severity Level | Prevention/treatment Strategies |
|———————-|——————-|——————|———————————————————–|
| Flu | 29% | high | Vaccination, Tamiflu within 72 hours |
| RSV | 8% | High | Vaccination, fast treatment |
| Bird Flu (H5N1, H5N9) | 67 cases (1 death)| Very High | Avoid unpasteurized milk, less cooked animal products, keep pets away from wild animals |
Stay informed and protected. Get your flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccinations today!
Surge in Flu, RSV, and Bird Flu Cases: Health Authorities Urge Vaccinations
Los Angeles, CA – The number of flu patients in Los Angeles and across the country is surging rapidly. Health authorities are urging everyone aged six months and older to get vaccinated against the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19.
Flu Transmission and Vaccination Effects
Jenny Hwang, a 43-year-old resident, recently took her five-year-old child to the emergency room. “The child continued to cough, and the body temperature rose to 105 degrees,” Hwang recalled.Fortunately, it wasn’t RSV.
Peter Shin,a 38-year-old professional nurse,echoed the severity of the situation. ”There are too many patients with the flu. This flu is quite severe, with our families vomiting for about a week,” Shin said.
Senior Editor Q&A with Dr. Lee sang-min
Dr. Lee Sang-min, a specialist in internal medicine, shares insights on current flu, RSV, and bird flu conditions.
Editor: Dr. Lee, could you summarize the current situation with flu cases in Los Angeles?
Dr. Lee Sang-min: Absolutely. As of the end of January, the flu confirmation rate in Los Angeles was 29%. That’s nearly double the rate from last year, reflecting the severity of the surge. The CDC estimates that about 12% of hospital emergency room visits were due to flu symptoms, which underscores the seriousness of this season’s flu outbreak.
Editor: What does this rate tell us about the effectiveness of current vaccination efforts?
Dr.Lee Sang-min: the effectiveness of vaccination efforts can be gauged by looking at vaccination rates. Currently, the rate is around 44% for adults and 44.5% for children, which is far below the target of 70%.Lower vaccination rates mean more people are susceptible to flu infections. Thus, it’s crucial for everyone to get vaccinated on time.
RSV’s Increasing Impact
Editor: What about RSV cases? Are they rising as dramatically as flu cases?
Dr. Lee Sang-min: Yes, RSV infections, especially among the elderly, are on the rise as well. The confirmation rate in LA County for RSV was 8% in late January, which is double the rate from the previous month. RSV is especially risky for infants, causing serious respiratory diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia. Timely vaccination and fast treatment are essential.
Tiffany Kim, a 70-year-old resident, shared her experience. “RSV continues to cough enough to breathe when it is flu, similar symptoms. After a hard time, the vaccine is right,” Kim said.
The Bird Flu Risk
Editor: With the bird flu (H5N1,H5N9) outbreaks,what precautions should we take?
Dr. Lee Sang-min: Certainly, avoiding unpasteurized milk and less cooked animal products can definately help reduce the risk. Additionally, keeping pets away from wild animals is crucial. As of February 3, more than 100 commercial poultry farms in California were affected by bird flu, leading to significant health risks.As of now, there are 67 reported human cases, with one death, highlighting the severe nature of the virus.
Main Prevention Strategies
Editor: Can you provide a summary of preventative measures for these infections?
Dr. Lee sang-min: Absolutely. For flu and RSV, vaccination is critical. Tamiflu should be taken within 72 hours of symptoms for effective treatment. As for bird flu, avoid unpasteurized milk, undercooked animal products, and keep pets away from wild animals to minimize risks.
Conclusion
Dr. Lee Sang-min: the flu, RSV, and bird flu season is particularly challenging this year.Vaccination and timely medical intervention are essential strategies to protect public health. Stay informed and get your vaccinations today!
