New York City is experiencing its worst flu season in a decade, with nearly 10,000 emergency room visits for flu-like illnesses reported the week of December 6–13 and 24,607 positive flu tests during the second week of December. Manhattan saw a 104% spike in cases, while other boroughs, including the Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, and Brooklyn, also reported significant increases due to this year's particularly virulent "super flu," according to New York Post.
Health experts link the surge to fewer vaccinations and a mismatch between the vaccine and the dominant subclade K strain of H3N2, with adult vaccine effectiveness only 32%–39%, compared to 72%–75% for children. The flu outbreak has also disrupted daily life, causing noticeable drops in school attendance just before the Christmas break.
New York City is seeing a 73 percent increase in flu cases, the New York State Department of Health said, due to a new flu virus mutation and factors like indoor gatherings, travel, and school sessions, as reported by PIX11. Health officials said people should get vaccinated, wear masks in crowded places, and for those over 65 or with weakened immune systems, consider a high-dose flu shot. Dr. Mark Mulligan of NYU Langone Health said anyone sick with the flu should "Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, get sufficient rest and take Tylenol or Advil to manage fever, headaches and muscle aches at home," as per New York Post.
