Illness and Flu Reports
The Central District Health Department wants to keep you from getting sick with the flu!
The flu season in Central Nebraska usually runs from the early fall through late winter. Last year saw more flu than previous years. We encourage you to get a flu shot in the fall to lessen your risk of severe illness from the flu. When flu shots become available, we will post that information here. Please check back soon.
Here are some resources on the flu, where you can get state numbers and how to protect yourself:
CLICK HERE FOR FLU ACTIVITY AND DATA FROM THE NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
CLICK HERE FOR FLU PREVENTION AND VACCINE INFORMATION FROM THE STATE OF NEBRASKA
CLICK HERE FOR CLINICS AND HOSPITALS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE ILINET SENTINEL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT FLU SEASON IN THE UNITED STATES
The severity of the flu can change from year to year. If you would like to see an interactive chart about flu season for the past few years, you can find that here.
Key Updates for week 14, ending 04/06/24:
• Most common strain for week 14 was H3N2, followed by H1N1 virus (56.7% vs. 43.3%) and Victoria Linage for Influenza B. However, over the season was a whole H1N1 has been the most common followed by H3N2 (70.7% vs 29.3%)
• During week 14, 7.7% of respiratory specimens tested for influenza by clinical laboratories were positive.
• During week 14, 2.8% of patient visits reported nationwide through ILINet were due to ILI. This percentage is below the national baseline of 2.9%.
• 5 influenza-associated deaths were reported in pediatric patients during week 14; total number this season is now 138.
• CDC estimates that from October 1, 2023, through April 6, 2024, there have been 33 million illnesses, 360,000 hospitalizations, and 23,000 deaths due to flu.
• Data to date suggest that vaccination uptake among adults and children this season is down compared to the same time last season.
