This winter was a complete nightmare for Americans, thanks to the raging Covid-19 pandemic. But new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues To show a ray of hope, the flu has been suppressed to one of its lowest levels ever. It is likely that the interventions designed to slow the spread of covid-19, such as avoiding meetings and wearing masks, helped stop the less contagious flu, and more people than usual were given the flu vaccine.
All 50 states are currently experiencing minimal activity, in what could normally be the end of the peak flu season, and the overall flu season has been peaceful from start to finish. According to the CDC, the cumulative number of influenza hospitalizations in the country is lower than during a flu season dating back to 2005, when the country began routinely collecting this type of data. And perhaps most importantly, only one death from pediatric flu has been reported this winter. Compare that with the brutal, record setting Flu season 2017-2018, when it’s over 60,000 Americans, including 186 children, died of the viral disease.
The numbers, while good news, are a bit unexpected. Last fall, many scientists were real Worried about the possibility of a “twin chemistry” of influenza and covid-19. Covid-19 has certainly maintained its end of the bargain, with more deaths and hospitalizations this winter than at any other point in the pandemic. Yet there had been proof in other countries that had the flu earlier this year, this season would be mild for very understandable reasons.
Although both the flu and covid-19 are caused by viruses that spread through the respiratory tract via infectious aerosols and droplets, the coronavirus is more contagious than the garden variety flu virus. Interventions that reduce the risk of spreading covid-19, such as frequent hand washing, wearing a mask, or simply keeping your distance, are likely to be even more effective in the case of flu. This can be especially important when it comes to schools as children are often the cause of flu outbreaks during normal times. Vaccination probably also plays a role. Have early data suggested that vaccine intake is higher than in recent years, and it is credited for the success of other countries in keeping flu levels down.
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The flu isn’t the only disease suppressed thanks to pandemic measures. Last summer there was never an expected increase in the number of children who developed polio-like paralysis, cold virus that can cause it to decline around the same time. Other common illnesses, such as norovirus, have also taken a dive over the past year.
Of course, trying to stay safe during the pandemic doesn’t come without social and mental costs. And the break in these seasonal illnesses could mean that we will see peaks of these diseases once people return to their normal routines. But there’s a lesson for future flu seasons: We may never be able to eradicate the flu, but a little more hand washing, vaccination and staying home when you’re sick – or wearing a mask when you’re sick and have to go out – should no doubt . make it less of a seasonal threat.