“This is due to a combination of factors, including weather patterns, travel habits, and population density, which can create ideal conditions for the viruses to spread — even though the overall flu season typically peaks during colder months when people are spending more time indoors,” she told Fox News Digital.
“What we are seeing now is high activity in southern states, with some states that had the disease early beginning to recover, like Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.” The northern and western regions of the country are now peaking, Patel noted.
“Studies show that as it gets colder and drier, viruses like flu travel better,” she said. “In the winter, people often spend more time indoors, typically in close proximity to each other. This increased indoor activity can make it easier for the virus to spread.”
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Densely populated states that are cold tend to have more transmission, the expert noted — “more people per capita makes social distancing harder, plus [there is] more indoor activity, hence their rates are higher.”
“The flu vaccine can prevent people from getting sick, but more importantly, it can reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick,” an expert noted. Flu vaccination rates are also lower nationwide, Patel pointed out.
“The flu vaccine can prevent people from getting sick, but more importantly, it can reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick,” she told Fox News Digital.
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“The CDC data measures outpatient reported illness (people seeking care because they are ill instead of just staying home),” Patel added. “With more people this year seeking care, the lower vaccine rates may also be playing into the more intense season.”
***Original article source: Flu cases are highest in these US states: See the map.***
