Entering into the winter respiratory season there are signals of a concerning flu season with earlier than usual increase in Influenza cases being reported in the Northern Hemisphere.
Influenza activity In the US is elevated with influenza test positivity currently reported to be 14.7%. The hospitalisation rate in the US was higher in week 45 than every flu season since 2010-2011. The CDC estimate that there have been 2,100 deaths from flu so far in this winter season. Influenza A(H3N2) is the most frequently reported subtype, however the proportion of Influenza A(H1N1) is increasing slightly (approximately 26% of subtyped Influenza A viruses in most recent week of data). Of Influenza B cases where a lineage has been detected, the Victoria lineage has been identified.
Surveillance of Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) in the Cayman Islands indicates that the 2022/23 flu season is currently progressing in a similar manner to last year and 2019/2020. The annual flu vaccine is the best tool we have to protect against flu, both to prevent infection and serious outcomes. To date approximately 1,600 individuals have received their Influenza vaccine this season in the Cayman Islands.
We encourage individuals to receive both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 autumn booster concurrently to have the best protection for the winter respiratory season.
For more information: www.hsa.ky or contact the Flu Hotline on: 1-800-534-8600 (toll free) 947-3077 flu@hsa.ky
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