Pennsylvania officials have reported 15 more flu -related deaths, bringing the state’s death toll from the current flu season to 207, including six pediatric cases.
As of March 24, laboratory, hospital emergency department, and medical provider data submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Health indicated that flu activity increased slightly in the state because of influenza B activity.
The strain of the flu that dominated the season — which runs from Oct. 1 to May 19 — was influenza A. The Centers for Disease Control notes that influenza B can be just as deadly as other strains of the virus.
CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund told CNN that parents should continue to be vigilant.
“We know that illness associated with influenza B can be just as severe as illness associated with influenza A,” Ms. Nordlund said. “We also know that influenza B tends to be more severe for younger children.”
Ms. Nordlund added that this wave of influenza B cases was not unexpected, and it’s not the dominant strain in all areas. Numbers haven’t spiked above influenza A cases in Lehigh or Northampton counties.
For the period beginning October 1, 2017 and ending March 24, 2018, the CDC reported that Lehigh county had 1,854 cases of influenza A and 1,422 cases of influenza B.
In Northampton county, there were 2,921 cases of influenza A and 2,075 cases of influenza B.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health had previously lowered its influenza activity meter from widespread — meaning at least half of the regions in the state are reporting increases in influenza cases — to regional — meaning at least two regions, but less than half of the regions are reporting an increase in influenza cases.
Ms. Nordlund told weather.com that anyone who hasn’t gotten a flu shot should consider getting one.
“As long as flu is spreading, vaccinations should continue,” she said. It’s important to know that it takes about two weeks for protection to set in.”
The CDC says anyone with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or both aches, headaches or fatigue should seek medical attention.
First Published: March 30, 2018, 6:47 p.m.