There is hardly any flu this year. Coronavirus restrictions may be to blame

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Yet this year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there is very little influenza activity.

The CDC’s influenza activity map across the United States is often a sea of ​​red during the first half of February – red means cases are high and increasing. Yet for the entire flu season so far this year, the map has been a reassuring wave of greenery – indicating little to no flu activity.

Lynette Brammer, who heads the CDC’s household flu surveillance program, is not yet ready to declare victory.

“I would wait a little longer to say that we are completely out of the woods,” Brammer told CNN. “The flu can do strange things.”

But the figures are compelling. That same week last year, the CDC reported widespread influenza activity in almost every region of the United States, with “high” activity in 45 states. In an average year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized with the flu. So far this flu season, only 155 people confirmed to have had the flu have ended up in hospital.

“Right now, there is nowhere in the country where we are seeing a real increase in influenza. It’s pretty much very, very low everywhere,” Brammer said.

And 78 children had died from the flu at this point last year. This year, only one pediatric flu death was reported.

“Influenza activity is unusually low right now, but could increase in the coming months,” the CDC says on its website.

The flu is widespread in the United States

It would not be surprising if the precautions taken by many Americans to prevent the spread of the coronavirus also prevent the spread of the flu. The flu and other respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus, are spread in a similar fashion – on tiny particles of mucus and saliva that spit out when people cough, sneeze, talk and even breathe.

These particles fall on surfaces where people can pick them up on their hands or fingers and transfer them to their nose, mouth or eyes. They can also remain suspended in the air and spread into poorly ventilated rooms. Or they can spray directly from one person or another.

Staying away, wearing masks, and avoiding crowded areas indoors can all help slow the spread, as can frequent hand washing.

“It is likely that measures taken to slow or prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have had an impact on the spread of other pathogens, including influenza.” Measures including drastic reduction in global travel, telecommuting, school closings, social distancing and the use of a face mask may have played a role, ”says the CDC. “Less travel probably played a role.”

Each year, hundreds of different viruses cause flu-like symptoms in humans. They include influenza, but also viruses such as adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenzavirus, metapneumovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Then there are the common coronaviruses of garden varieties.

A record 105 American children have died from the flu so far this season

“While the flu has been very weak, all of the other respiratory viruses other than Covid have been very weak, too,” Brammer said. “There was a bit of rhinovirus, but that’s about it.”

The CDC has highlighted the need for a flu shot and is currently preparing figures on the number of Americans vaccinated against the flu this season. But each year, only about half of the people who should get the flu shot get it. The CDC recommends that everyone from 6 months old get one, with a few exceptions.

And it’s not too late to get the flu shot, Brammer noted.

While there is some evidence that people do not seek the right medical care in many cases due to fear of catching the coronavirus in a hospital or clinic, or for fear of stressing an already overwhelmed medical system, Brammer believes influenza testing accurately captures spread – or lack thereof.

“There are probably a few more tests than you would normally see during a low flu season,” she says.

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This is good news on more than one level. Doctors were very concerned that both the flu and the coronavirus would circulate during the winter. People can get infected with two viruses at the same time – and that would be serious. But since the flu also puts people in the hospital, it would have meant even more strain on an already strained system.

One thing is for sure, says the CDC. The flu may surprise you.

It varies widely from year to year, and the CDC infects between 9.3 million and 45 million people per year. The flu kills between 12,000 and 61,000 people a year and puts between 140,000 and 810,000 people in hospital.

Some years the flu season starts early – September or October. Other years it may come later, only gaining momentum in January and February. Sometimes there are two waves of the flu, and often one strain will strike early and a second strain will strike later – sometimes as late as April.

Brammer said there was evidence that influenza activity was resuming in parts of Asia that had relaxed restrictions aimed at controlling the coronavirus.

“When they slack off on these measures, the flu comes back,” she said.

The flu circulates all year round – it’s usually only at very low levels in the summer, but there are no rules.

“I think I’ll stay on the edge of my seat,” she said. “The flu could start to happen. Keep your eyes peeled.”

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