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CDC reports flu outbreaks in 11 states
Infection Control Monitor, February 8, 2008
It's not too late for people to get a flu shot, even with flu season in full swing and widespread outbreaks reported in 11 states, according to the CDC.
The government agency said last week that the flu is affecting most of the country but is widespread in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. A new strain of the flu is starting to emerge that this year's vaccine does not specifically target, said CDC director Julie Gerberding, MD.
People should still get their flu shot, Gerberding told the Associated Press, and there is a plentiful supply of the vaccine available. The majority of flu cases are being caused by strains that are a good match to the vaccine, and it should provide some cross-protection against the new strain as well, she said.
The flu can make its victims vulnerable to bacterial infections and children are at a particular risk. The CDC sent an alert to healthcare providers January 30 to be aware of the possibility of bacterial co-infection in children with the flu and request cultures if they are severely ill or when community-acquired pneumonia is suspected. To read the alert, click here.
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