Infectious disease in an era of global change

Deadly Flu Season: CDC Reports More Deaths From Flu Than COVID In Recent Weekly Data

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Health Officials Say Over 50 People Have Died From The Flu

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INDIANAPOLIS — Flu season is still going on, and many Hoosiers get sick from the flu every year. However, the Indiana Department of Health says this is the highest level of the flu in Indiana.  

Flu season runs from October to May, but it typically reaches its highest point between December and February. So far, 57 people in Indiana have died from the flu. Out of the 57 people, 41 of which were older than 65 years old.  

Not only has the number of flu deaths increased, but Indiana Health Officials say the amount of hospital visits for flu-related sicknesses has also increased.  

The flu, which is short for influenza, is very contagious. It can upset the nose, the throat, and even the lungs. This illness can sometimes be fatal.  

If one ever experiences coughing, a sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and fevers, those are signs that one would have the flu.  

Certain groups, including pregnant women, young children, people who are at least 65 years old, and especially people with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, are more likely to catch the flu.  

Health organizations and hospitals are going to try to keep people safe by providing visitor restrictions. People are told to check with hospitals for certain regulations. 

Contagious Illness Kills 15 Children In New York, More Deaths Possible

Health officials are on high alert a highly infectious disease has claimed the lives of over a dozen children in New York.

This year's flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst in recent history, with 15 children confirmed dead since January No information has been provided about where these deaths came from or what age the children were when they died.

The number is close to eclipsing the number reported last year, when 19 children died during the 2023-2024 flu season.

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Last month, health officials confirmed New York was experiencing a 15-year high in doctors' visits for the flu. It also came as New York City reported the largest number of cases in half a decade.

Since late October, nearly 410,000 people have fallen sick to this virulent strain of influenza. This is about 7,000 more than the elevated number reported during last year's season.

In Central New York, the area reported 2,290 new flu cases last week with the highest number coming from Onondaga County with 576. Oneida County followed with 323 new positive results while Oswego and Madison County respectively reported 207 and 97 weekly cases.

There were 71 new cases in Herkimer County.

Hospitalizations for the 2025 flu season have also outpaced all of 2024's, with the state reporting 25,895 people requiring emergency treatment.

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Of that number, 73 people required hospitalization in Onondaga County last week while 38 people in Oneida County needed medical intervention. There were a dozen new hospitalizations in Oswego County while Madison County confirmed 5 more hospitalizations.

This year's flu season is one of the most aggressive in recent years due to the dominant strain infecting people being Influenza A.

Influenza A mutates much more rapidly and is more severe than flu type B, making it more likely to cause outbreaks. The 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak and the 2009 Swine Flu epidemic were all caused by Influenza A.

This strain of flu is capable of causing more severe and long-lasting symptoms, which is why health officials are urging everyone to get their flu shot.

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Those over 65-years-old or are immunocompromised are strongly urged to get the vaccine.

Health officials say the flu vaccine reduces the risk of serious symptoms from developing and helps prevent hospitalizations.

Those interested in scheduling their flu shot can find more information by visiting vaccines.Gov.

Have You Seen Them? 11 Kids Went Missing In New York State In February

The following list contains names and faces of 11 children reported missing in February 2025 across New York State. Do you have any information about them or have you seen them recently?

NCMEC works with families, victims, private industry, law enforcement, and the public to assist with preventing child abductions, recovering missing children, and providing services to deter and combat child sexual exploitation.

If you'd like to report information about a missing child to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's 24-hour hotline at 800–THE–LOST (800–843–5678).

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