of New York State Department of Health It was announced that the number of people hospitalized due to influenza has hit a record high in one week.
The state acknowledged in a Jan. 2 press release that the number of hospital visits is increasing as the number of influenza cases continues to rise locally and nationally.
New York state, which includes New York City, has consistently recorded the highest number of infections on record. Cases of respiratory disease Several other states in the country have also moved into the “very high” category of respiratory activity in recent weeks as of the week ending Dec. 27, according to CDC data.
New York state reports record number of influenza infections, authorities issue warning
According to the latest data from the New York Department of Health, there were a total of 4,546 hospitalizations from December 26, 2025 to January 2, 2026, an increase of nearly 1,000 from the previous week. Last week, the ministry announced a record high number of infections. In case of influenza It has never been recorded in a single seven-day period.
In a statement, New York State Acting Secretary of Health Dr. James MacDonald noted the severity of this year’s flu season compared to previous years.
He acknowledged that “nearly 1,000 more people were admitted to hospital in the last seven days compared to the previous week.” “There’s still time to get it. influenza vaccinationRemember, the flu can be treated with antiviral drugs given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. [as] Your doctor deems it appropriate. ”
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Health officials are urging Americans to consider getting the flu vaccine because experts believe it is the first line of defense against exposure to and spread of the virus.
Dr. Neil Mania, a professor of public health at Northeastern University in Boston, emphasized in an earlier interview with Fox News Digital that it’s not too late to get the flu vaccine. peak season Usually occurs in January.
“Vaccines still provide protection against serious illness caused by the virus. Subclade K variant It seems to be widespread,” he said.
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Mania said even healthy people can become seriously ill with the flu, “so the vaccine is beneficial for almost everyone.”
“Typically, you start to see some protection within a few days, and maximum protection is achieved within about two weeks, so now is the time for those who have not yet been vaccinated.”
Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, and runny nose.
A mutation in influenza A H3N2 called subclade K was detected as the cause. Increase in number of infected people worldwidecausing more severe symptoms and a higher risk of spread.
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“It’s becoming clear that this is a fairly severe variant of influenza,” Mania said. “Certainly in other parts of the world where this variant is circulating, it’s causing severe illness and we’ve already seen the start of a flu epidemic.”
New York state recommends taking precautionary measures To avoid influenza infection. These include washing your hands frequently. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Avoid close contact with sick people. Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces. And if I don’t feel well, I stay home.
