流感病例持续攀升，新毒株对老年人致病力更强

Core Insights - The flu season in the U.S. is intensifying, with a new strain raising concerns about the effectiveness of current vaccines against it [3][4][15] - Public health experts indicate that while the flu season is in a high transmission phase, it has not yet peaked, and the increase in cases aligns with historical patterns [3][4][15] - COVID-19 cases remain low, with wastewater monitoring showing virus levels significantly below summer peak levels [3][4][18] Flu Season Dynamics - The current flu season is driven by a new strain of the H3N2 virus, which has become the dominant strain in the U.S. [9][20] - The CDC reports a significant rise in flu-related hospitalizations, emergency visits, and deaths, with projections indicating the peak may occur in February [4][20] - As of now, there are at least 4.6 million flu cases, over 49,000 hospitalizations, and approximately 1,900 deaths reported [20][21] Vaccine Effectiveness Concerns - Experts express concern that the new strain may reduce the effectiveness of the flu vaccine, potentially leading to increased hospitalizations [10][11][20] - Approximately 40% of U.S. adults have received the current flu vaccine, with slightly lower rates among children [21] - Despite the emergence of the new strain, vaccination remains crucial to reduce severe illness and hospitalization risks [21][22] Public Health Recommendations - Public health officials continue to urge the public to complete COVID-19 vaccinations and conduct testing as winter approaches [18] - The flu season is expected to last until March or April, with the potential for severe impacts if vaccination rates do not improve [20][22] - There is a noted increase in flu symptoms among children, highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment [21][22]