Overview
- The New Jersey Department of Health reported that a child under 5 from the northern part of the state, with no known underlying conditions, died from influenza this week.
- Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown called the season very serious and urged residents to get vaccinated to reduce spread and prevent severe complications.
- New York City has logged more than 128,000 positive flu tests as of the week ending Jan. 3, and Acting Commissioner Michelle Morse plans regular flu briefings in response to the surge.
- CDC estimates put the national toll at about 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 deaths so far this season, with eight pediatric deaths reported nationwide.
- Health officials and medical experts attribute the expanding outbreak in part to lower vaccination uptake and stress that shots and early antiviral treatment remain the best protection.