Flu Activity Surges in New Hampshire

New Hampshire Endures Worst Flu Season in 25 Years, Hospitals Strained

The state of New Hampshire is currently battling its worst flu season in two and a half decades, with hospitals in southern New Hampshire operating at full capacity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified the current flu activity as very high, comparable to the situation seen in New York City.

Surging Flu Cases Across the Granite State

In Manchester, a significant spike in influenza viral particles detected in wastewater indicates an alarming rise in flu cases. Last year, the viral copies per 100 mL of wastewater peaked at 7,560 but has since risen to over 15,000 on December 29th. According to Philip Alexakos, Manchester’s deputy public health director, such data is crucial for hospitals in preparing for increased patient volumes.

Alexakos stated, “Right now, we have people in the hospital. The question is, could we see this coming, and what could we do in that window beforehand to mitigate it?” He emphasizes that despite some evidence suggesting the flu may be easier to transmit, current hospitalizations are not showing high mortality rates.

Fatalities and Hospitalizations on the Rise

Public health officials have reported at least six adult deaths related to the flu this season in New Hampshire. While there have been no pediatric deaths yet, Alexakos notes that the data suggests the flu may not be more severe than previous seasons.

Vaccination and Preparedness

“The flu shot, the influenza vaccine, is helpful and effective, especially at reducing severe disease,” Alexakos said. He acknowledges that this year’s vaccine may not match the most widely circulating strain of the flu perfectly but still urges individuals to get vaccinated.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will likely release more updated information on the flu later in the season. As the holiday season winds down, health experts caution that flu activity remains a significant concern for residents across the state.

Manchester, N.H. — In the wake of the holidays, flu activity in New Hampshire is now classified as very high.

At least six people have died from the flu this season in New Hampshire, and health officials say hospitalizations are rising. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this is the worst flu season in 25 years, and hospitals in southern New Hampshire are now fully involved in fighting it.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has been tracking influenza viral particles in wastewater and recently saw a big spike in Manchester. Last season, the viral copies per 100 mL of wastewater in Manchester peaked at 7,560, but it rose to more than 15,000 on Dec. 29.

Alexakos said such data help hospitals prepare. “Right now, we have people in the hospital,” he said. “The question is could we see this coming, and what could we do in that window beforehand to mitigate it.” Alexakos said this year’s vaccine isn’t a perfect match to the most widely circulating strain of the flu, but it can still be helpful.

The flu shot, the influenza vaccine, is helpful and effective, especially at reducing severe disease,” he said.

There have not yet been any pediatric flu deaths reported in New Hampshire.”We haven’t seen that it’s necessarily more severe, looking at the numbers of admissions in the hospital just for flu,” Alexakos said. “We’re not seeing high mortality rates with this particular flu. There is some evidence that it may be easier to transmit.” DHHS said more flu data will likely be released this week.

For residents concerned about their health and well-being, public health officials recommend staying informed through local news outlets like WMUR and getting vaccinated against the flu. As the winter season progresses, New Hampshire remains vigilant in its efforts to combat one of its most challenging flu seasons on record.