The flu season in Georgia has escalated to a "very high" activity category, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This places Georgia among the states grappling with a surge in flu cases, with a noticeable spike among children. FOX 5 Atlanta cited medical director at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Dr. Andi Shane, describing this flu season as a particularly difficult one in terms of "both number of illnesses and, and severity." Shane noted that about one-third of Georgia's flu hospitalizations in this period have occurred in just the past week.
Hospital strain, specifically in pediatric centers, has increased significantly. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta reported that nearly half of the patients with sickness last week tested positive for the flu, according to hospital officials. With the flu hitting hard and hitting fast this year, Dr. Helena Bentley, a pediatrician at Kid Care Pediatrics, told Atlanta News First, she is seeing more kids and sicker kids than in past years. Pointing a finger at the growing anti-vaccine movement, Bentley emphasized the increased difficulty in controlling the flu's spread among non-vaccinated populations.
Concerns are growing with the discovery of a mutated strain of the H3N2 virus, sometimes dubbed a "super flu," which may be contributing to the exacerbated symptoms witnessed this year. The CDC estimates around 7.5 million flu cases nationwide, with 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths to date. Health officials continue to advocate strongly for vaccinations as the optimal defense against severe illness and fatality, despite observing a drop in vaccination rates this season. Dr. Shane emphasized the importance of vaccines, saying, "It's never too late to get a vaccine," as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Meanwhile, the community's resistance to vaccines poses an additional challenge, as Dr. Bentley highlighted the issue of excess vaccine doses having to be sent back last year, a decision they're possibly regretting now facing higher demand. Bentley raised concerns about flu subtypes and virus mutations, suggesting that while vaccines are designed to counter the four most common types, unforeseen strains can still emerge. Despite this, she asserted that vaccines can still reduce severity, duration, and spread of the illness. Additionally, last week, DeKalb County reported a 60% increase in flu-related 911 calls in the past few weeks, underscoring the urgency of this health crisis.
In the face of this flu season's challenges, doctors are issuing critical reminders about preventative measures. Aside from getting vaccinated, the importance of hand hygiene and staying home when sick is stressed. Dr. Bentley advised that covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing and frequent hand washing are particularly crucial for those unvaccinated, aiming to mitigate the spread of the flu. "We don’t take things as serious as we need to until it happens," Bentley told Atlanta News First, advocating for early vaccination and proactive health practices.
