Influenza cases are “high” in four regions of Massachusetts: why are they normally falling but rising?

in the case of COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) After hitting a low in early March, it continues to grow this spring, it’s not the only virus making a comeback.

If you or someone you know is ill and has a negative COVID test, you may have the flu.

Influenza cases across Massachusetts have increased over the past two months. According to a weekly influenza report from the Massachusetts Public Health Service, the estimated weekly severity of influenza across the state is currently at “moderate” levels. A closer look reveals that the Central, Northeast, Southeast, and West regions have grown to “high” severity levels.

According to the DPH, weekly severity is determined by combining influenza-like illness, hospitalization, and state-reported influenza-positive test results.

But more unusually, levels are rising at some point in the year and usually falling.

Weekly flu reports from the state track influenza-like illnesses reported by 93 “sentinel sites” across the state. Reports from the site are used throughout the season to track influenza activity in untested individuals. The state reports that trends in flu-like illness have been shown to reflect flu trends.

“The majority of people with flu-like illness have not been tested, so the number of positive tests does not reflect the total number of flu cases in Massachusetts,” the state said in a weekly report. ..

Nevertheless, confirmed lab tests also show an increasing number of cases.

According to DPH, laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza increased by 27% this week.

According to the Centers for Diseasce Control, influenza activity is currently highest in the northeastern, central and southern, and mountainous regions of the United States.

Influenza was largely dormant in 2020 and 2021. Health experts believe this is due to measures such as shutdown, masking, and social distance associated with the coronavirus pandemic, which not only reduced COVID but also prevented the spread of other infectious diseases. I am. ..

This year’s flu cases are back a little. According to state data, this year’s provider sites report more flu-like cases than in the 2020-2021 season, but much less than in the two pre-pandemic seasons.

They also started to rise at about the same time Cases of COVID began to increase Similarly — early March.

Authorities have not identified a clear reason for the increase in influenza cases in April (usually decreasing), but one of the reasons is that they have returned to normal due to pandemic restrictions.

“Most of us thought that the number of cases here had increased slightly, smoldering at the end of this last season. Perhaps people took off their masks, went out for group activities and indoors. Going to restaurants and starting to return to business with worship services, concerts and face-to-face — all of these types of activities still present some opportunities for the spread of this respiratory virus. ” Dr. William SchaffnerNational Institute of Infectious Diseases Medical Director, Told Healthline..

Influenza vaccination rates for all age groups in Massachusetts are currently 48%, the Public Health Service reports. By comparison, more than 75% of states are fully vaccinated against COVID. Influenza A (H3N2) is currently the predominant strain in Massachusetts and is protected by the vaccine. However, as the virus continues to evolve, the effectiveness of the vaccine can decline over time.

As of February 12, 2022, the CDC genetically characterized 65 influenza A viruses from participants in the US Influenza Vaccine Efficacy Network.

According to the DPH, the rate of influenza-related hospitalizations in Massachusetts is 0.89%, higher than last season and the 2019-2020 season, but lower than the 2018-2019 season.