CDC Issues Flu Advisory

Published:
March 29, 2019

What you need to know

On March 28, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued an official Health Advisory regarding the recent increase in flu activity. Flu activity in the U.S. continues to be high, and the CDC expects flu season to last several more weeks. New Jersey continues to experience high levels of flu activity throughout the state. View the most recent New Jersey flu report here. Flu A(H3N2) viruses have been identified more frequently in March than A(H1N1) viruses in most of the country, including New Jersey. The flu vaccine has been found to be less effective against influenza A(H3N2) viruses than against A(H1N1) or B viruses.

What you can do

Administer antiviral treatment to any patient with confirmed or suspected influenza who:
  • is hospitalized;*
  • has severe, complicated or progressive illness;* or
  • is at higher risk for influenza complications.
Antiviral treatment also can be considered on the basis of clinical judgment for any previously healthy, symptomatic outpatient who is not at high risk for influenza complications and who is diagnosed with confirmed or suspected influenza. Treatment should be initiated within 48 hours of illness onset. *Oral oseltamivir is the recommended antiviral for patients with severe, complicated, or progressive illness who are not hospitalized, and for hospitalized influenza patients.

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