Ohio seeing minimal hospitalizations so far

NEW YORK (AP) — This year’s flu season is off to a quick start, and so far it seems to be dominated by a nasty bug.

Health officials say the flu vaccine seems well matched to the viruses making people sick, but it’s too early to tell how bad this season will be. The main flu bug this season tends to cause more deaths and hospitalizations and vaccines tend not to work as well against this type.

The flu began picking up last month. By last week, seven states reported widespread flu activity: Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Virginia.

The Ohio Department of Health reported that public health surveillance data indicated minimal intensity for influenza-like illness in outpatient cases. The percentage of emergency department visits with patients exhibiting flue symptoms was above baseline levels statewide; fever and ILI specified ER visits are below baseline levels.

Reported cases of influenza-associated hospitalizations are above the seasonal threshold of 25, with 92 cases reported.

The highest number of influenza-like illness hospitalizations were in Cuyahoga, Montgomery, Stark, Hamiliton and Allen counties.

The Ohio Department of Health estimates that 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year in the U.S.

On average, it is estimated that there are more than 20,000 flu related deaths.

Most flu seasons don’t really get going until around Christmas. That’s how last year’s flu season played out.

In Ohio, the flu season peaks in mid-January.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the latest data Friday.