CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Flu numbers in West Virginia are increasing in recent weeks, despite flu season traditionally ending in early spring.
Shannon McBee, the state epidemiologist for the Bureau of Health told MetroNews that 2.3% of visits to a doctor or urgent care statewide in the past week were attributed to influenza-like illness. McBee said the baseline is 1.8% and anything above that ‘is a is a red flag we are seeing influenza activities in our communities.’
McBee partly attributes the late rise in flu cases to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions easing, such as washing hands, covering a cough and staying home when sick.
“With all the mitigation measures that we’ve had in place, it’s been remarkable to see how flu has been non-existent. Now that we’ve lifted our mitigation measures across the state and started to see other respiratory conditions including flu,” McBee said.
McBee said it’s the first time that flu figures in West Virginia have been above that baseline during the traditional October through May flu season.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported recently that weekly flu cases began rising nationally the week ending March 5.
In 2021, McBee said it was a mild flu season for West Virginia and the illness ‘has been on the backburner throughout the pandemic.’
She said the most predictable thing about the flu is that it’s unpredictable, adding she could see flu season extend into the summer months.
The CDC recommends the flu shot for everyone age 6 months and older.
McBee also encourages it.
“If you have not gotten your flu vaccine, it is not too late. Go out and get your flu vaccine,” she said.