Health officials in the United States have issued urgent warnings following the deaths of five children linked to a severe new strain of influenza. The so-called 'super flu' is causing alarm due to its intensity, with sufferers experiencing dangerously high fevers and severe respiratory distress.
Severe Cases and Rising Hospitalisations
This week, authorities in Massachusetts confirmed that four children in the state have lost their lives to flu this season. Two of the children were from Boston and were under two years old, an age group particularly susceptible due to developing immune systems. Separately, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced a fifth paediatric death on Tuesday, noting 'very high' flu activity across the state.
The fatalities coincide with concerning data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The latest figures indicate 'very high' flu activity in 32 states, a significant surge. Hospital admissions have jumped by 54 percent compared to the previous week. For the week ending December 27, one in three flu tests returned a positive result, up from one in four.
Understanding the 'Super Flu' Threat
Experts identify the dominant and concerning strain as Influenza A, variant H3N2 subclade K. While symptoms mirror typical flu, this variant is leading to more severe illness, especially in young patients. Warning signs include fevers lasting up to a week and a persistent cough that can escalate into breathing difficulties.
Dr Robbie Goldstein, Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner, stated: 'These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain.'
The CDC's highest classification for flu activity, Level 13, now applies to numerous states including New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia. The number of states reporting low or minimal activity has plummeted, with only Montana and Vermont now in the 'low' category.
Tragic Personal Losses Highlight Danger
The human cost of the outbreak is embodied in stories like that of 16-year-old Ryleigh Spurlock from Ohio. Reported to have visited a doctor with ordinary flu symptoms on December 23, her condition deteriorated rapidly. She tragically passed away on December 28. Her stepmother described a terrifyingly swift decline: 'She went from a 98.5 temperature to a 105, she went septic, she had double pneumonia, all within 24 hours.' The teenager had not received a seasonal flu vaccination.
In a separate case, 14-year-old Noah Smothers from Alabama also died from flu-related complications last month.
Medical professionals emphasise the strain's severity. Dr Mark Loafman of Cook County Health in Illinois noted fevers lasting five to seven days are common this year. Dr Juanita Mora, a national spokesperson for the American Lung Association, warned that these high fevers may not respond to standard treatments like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
The CDC estimates this season has already caused at least 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalisations, and 5,000 deaths nationwide. Health officials strongly recommend the annual flu vaccine, which offers protection against the circulating strains, as the primary defence. They urge the public to seek immediate medical care if symptoms worsen quickly, especially if experiencing trouble breathing or severe weakness.
