SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — The CDC reports that flu cases in the U.S. are surging.

Just last week, the agency’s respiratory illness surveillance map showed very high or high flu activity in 31 states, including Louisiana.

This week, there are 38 states at those same levels. The ArkLaTex is included.

Also, hospitalizations nationwide are at their highest level since February. Deaths and emergency room visits also have risen since last week.

And flu activity in Louisiana is at the highest it’s been in the past decade, according to the state health department.

Willis-Knighton is among health systems seeing these high numbers, said Dr. Joseph Bocchini, a pediatric infectious disease physician there.

“We still have a high number of cases. The numbers actually in our systems increased from last week to this week, the most recent week we have data for.”

The Shreveport/Bossier City area is among five Louisiana health regions reporting the highest level of flu activity.

Bocchini said getting the flu shot is the best way to avoid catching it.

“Because the influenza season may go on for another few months, and so exposure may continue. Therefore, it’s always wise to get vaccine.”

He said that the flu spreads through schools and that children who are sick should be evaluated, tested and kept home from school.

“They bring it home to their parents; they bring it home to their grandparents and others. And so they really play an important role in an outbreak in the community,” Bocchini said.

QUICK FACTS

The CDC reports that:

• The percent of all emergency room visits with a COVID-19 diagnosis is highest among children under 2 years old and adults 65+
• ER visits due to diagnosed RSV are highest among children under 4 years old
• ER visits due to influenza are highest among children 5-17 years old followed by children under 4 years old
• Hospitalization rates for COVID-19 remain elevated among adults 65+ and infants and young children
• Hospitalization rates for influenza continue to increase in all age groups; and adults 65+ have the highest rate compared to other age groups
• Hospitalization rates for RSV remain elevated among children under 4 years old and among adults 65+

Shreveport area residents also are noting the rise in flu activity.

At the city’s Betty Virginia Park, one woman said she is not terribly worried about the flu but does take precautions.

“I take the flu shot every year,” Lucy Burr said. “And if people have told me I think I might get sick, I distance myself. Drink fluids, all those things.”

She believes everyone should get the flu shot. “I know a lot of people are scared of it. But to me, it’s better to take it and hopefully ward off the flu than to be very very ill with the flu.”

One mother at the park with her two sons said her kids are vaccinated but she’s still concerned about the flu.

“I’ve definitely stocked up more, making sure I wipe down surfaces, especially when we’re out and about,” Jacquinette Douglas said.

“Even in my personal car, I wipe down. If we’re going out like today to the park, or anywhere, I make sure to wipe my car down if we get in and out to make sure, you know, that germs that don’t spread to them.”

Bocchini said anybody who feels like they have an acute onset of a respiratory illness during this period of time should see their physician.

MORE RESOURCES TO EXPLORE:

• CDC’s key viral respiratory illness findings for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV from the past week

• Louisiana’s respiratory virus dashboard

• Estimated trends for COVID-19 and influenza infections and hospitalizations at the national and state levels

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