Locator: 49782FLU.
A lot of stories in the mainstream media about the surge in "seasonal flu." That is true. Whether this is worse than last year or not is yet to be seen. It appears the current "flu" season started about two weeks earlier than last year and has the identical parabolic trajectory.
Link here, week 51, ending December 20, 2025. We may get an update later today.
The most recent graphic with only last year's data and this year's data presented:
In the big scheme of things, it's a pediatric threat, not so much for adults, and especially not for seniors who appear to be less effected (every year).
Seniors get their flu shots. I haven't had flu in decades; in fact, I can't remember ever having the "flu." Vaccines were mandatory in the military. I've got a history of nearly 50 years of annual flu shots. Knock on wood. Although immunity from a specific flu shot decreases over time, I've always maintained there's always a few white cells that "remember" older flu shots. I know I'm wrong, but I like to think that.
Some say the flu virus can't survive the extreme cold in North Dakota. I doubt that's true, but I also like to think that. I doubt I ever got a flu shot until I was in my 30's -- I came on active duty at age 27 or thereabouts.
So far this year, the southern states, the Atlantic seaboard, and New England seem to have been hit particularly hard.
