Deadly US Flu Outbreak May Be Linked to Cold, Dry Air

January 10, 2014; 7:42 AM

Health officials continue to urge residents to get their flu shots as half of the United States reports a widespread outbreak.

Flu cases have been reported in every state, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Regional outbreaks have also been reported in 20 other states.

Studies have suggested that seasonal influenza viruses have a seasonal pattern; influenza viruses circulate at higher levels in cold weather and at lower levels in warm weather, but it is a subject that needs further investigation, Dr. Michael Jhung of the CDC said.

So far during the 2013-14 season, 2009 H1N1 influenza viruses have been most common to circulate and cause illness. The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, the so-called swine flu, was first identified in 2009, when it emerged to cause an influenza pandemic.

"Since then, it has circulated worldwide as a seasonal flu virus, although this is the first year since 2009 that it has been the predominant strain," Jhung, a medical officer for the Surveillance and Outbreak Response Team in the Influenza Division of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases of the CDC, said.

Six flu-related deaths have occurred in Pennsylvania, where there is a widespread outbreak of the flu, Pennsylvania Health Department Spokeswoman Holli Senior said.

We had 30yrs old lady die of this yesterday in bakersfield, Ca. Their checking to see if another lady in her 80's that die last we could have died of the flu instead of something else.

@im1made4u: wow not long ago we were dealing with the new flu H1N1 now another strain of flu... very scarey especially for our children and the elderly God help us..!!

They said this 1 is worse. The 30yrs old died within a week of getting it!

@im1made4u: the flu vaccine is out don't hesitate to get one

I don't do vaccinations. Really I think that being OCD about hand Sanitizing is how people are getting sick. People use to get filthier half a century ago & be just fine with polio running amuck. Most of them were healthy. The immune system is a muscle work it out by playing in the wud while its cold out, swim in swamp water, or do something dirty everyday. I don't mean sex with random people because that person is sick than you'll get but you know don't a little wuss & you'll a strong immune system.

@B3dR00m3y3z: i do agree u should be exsposed to some germs it builds your immune system but in children and the elderly this can easily lead to death

@truehrt4u: well ofcourse children & elderly should be cautious these outbreaks effect them the most severely.

Off topic, but is Valley Fever similar to flu?

@WalkSoftly: not sure now if its similar to hay fever than no its just a horrible allergy. Hay fever is just a cedar allergy that works you over. I don't know what causes Valley Fever