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The United States is experiencing one of the most intense flu waves in recent years, with nearly three million confirmed cases since the start of the season, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Health authorities have also reported an 8% increase in cases over the past week and more than 1,200 deaths linked to the virus.
Reports from Telemundo Noticias highlight the concerns of patients and families regarding the rise in influenza cases.
Socorro Leal, a cancer patient, explained that she never lets her guard down and always wears a mask to protect herself.
"Most people get sick with the flu, right? But if we get vaccinated, we have no problem," she pointed out.
Another interviewed father emphasized the importance of taking care of children: “If they get sick, you have to be with them; that’s why they need to be cared for.”
After the Thanksgiving holiday, infections have surged in several states, primarily in Colorado, New Jersey, New York, and Louisiana.
The CDC attributes the resurgence to the circulation of a new variant of the virus, H3N2, subtype K, which causes more severe cases, leading to increased hospitalizations and respiratory complications.
Amid the rise in cases and with the year-end holidays approaching, doctors recommend strengthening preventive measures.
Doctor Emma B. Olivera emphasized the importance of washing hands with soap and water, staying up to date with vaccinations—including the flu shot—and staying home if symptoms occur.
"You should not prepare food or attend events while you are sick," he warned.
The CDC also warned about the increase in norovirus cases, a pathogen distinct from the flu but equally contagious, responsible for vomiting and diarrhea.
Its transmission increases between November and April, and the outbreaks particularly affect the states in the western part of the country.
In California, health authorities report rises in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Experts insist that vaccination and hygiene remain the most effective tools to contain the spread of influenza and other respiratory infections this winter season.
The epidemiological situation in the United States has been marked by various viral threats that have necessitated the reinforcement of prevention and monitoring measures.
One of the recent concerns is chikungunya, regarding which the CDC issued a level 2 travel alert for Cuba due to an active outbreak of the disease, with tens of thousands of confirmed cases on the island.
Although no indigenous infections have been reported on U.S. soil in recent years, the CDC has warned that the risk of reintroduction exists due to the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in several southern states.
At the same time, Florida authorities approved legislative changes that have sparked controversy in the medical community by eliminating the requirement for certain childhood vaccines.
Among them are those that protect against hepatitis B, pneumococcus, and type Hib influenza. Experts warn that this measure could lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases, especially in areas with low vaccination coverage, and emphasize that no impact studies have been conducted to support the decision.
These factors are compounded by a recent outbreak of norovirus aboard a cruise ship that arrived in Miami with over 90 people affected by gastrointestinal symptoms.
The highly contagious virus caused diarrhea, vomiting, and feverish symptoms, necessitating the implementation of special health protocols. Although the incident was contained, it highlighted the speed at which infectious diseases can spread in enclosed environments and the need to maintain active surveillance during the winter season.
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