Tips to stay healthy amid increase in flu cases in Massachusetts

Flu activity is increasing across Massachusetts, with local health officials reporting high levels of illness this season.

The Boston Public Health Commission announced that flu cases are surging earlier this year than last year, and urged residents to get their annual flu vaccine.

“This uptick in flu cases is occurring a month earlier than last season, when Boston did not hit these numbers until January,” the health commission said.

Despite the high activity, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said the influenza is of low severity.

Here’s what to know about flu cases in Massachusetts and how to keep yourself healthy during this week’s holiday celebrations.

Flu-like illness activity in different parts of MA

About 4.19% of doctor’s visits in Massachusetts during the week of Dec. 7 to Dec. 13 were for flu-like symptoms – a temperature of at least 100 degrees with a cough and/or sore throat. This is up from 2.78% the prior week.

Here are the influenza-like illness activity levels for each region of Massachusetts during the week of Dec. 7 to Dec. 13, according to the Department of Public Health:

• Boston: High
• Inner Metro Boston: Moderate
• Outer Metro Boston: High
• Northeast: High
• Southeast: Very High
• Central: High
• West: High

Lab-confirmed influenza cases in MA

During the week of Dec. 7 to Dec. 13, there were 3,174 lab-confirmed influenza cases in Massachusetts, up from 1,401 the week prior, the department said.

Of those cases, there were 2,611 Influenza Type A (unsubtyped) positive results, 320 Influenza Type A (H1) positive results, 182 Type A (H3) positive results, 47 Type B positive results, and 14 unknown flu type positive results.

Hospitalizations associated with influenza this week

About 1.90% of hospitalizations in Massachusetts during the week of Dec. 7 to Dec. 13 were associated with influenza, the Department of Public Health said.

This is up from 1.24% the week of Nov. 30 and 0.83% the week of Nov. 23.

Deaths due to influenza this season in MA

In Massachusetts, there have been 13 adult influenza-related deaths so far this season, according to the Department of Public Health.

Seven of those deaths were reported during the week of Dec. 7 to Dec. 13.

Tips to stay healthy this holiday season

The Boston Public Health Commission encouraged residents, especially children and older adults, to get vaccinated against the flu.

“Flu cases are on the rise in Boston, and we are urging residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from respiratory illnesses which can cause hospitalization and severe illness,” Bisola Ojikutu, Boston’s commissioner of public health, said in a statement.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls vaccination the “single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications.”

As of Dec. 6, only 30% of Boston residents had received the flu vaccine this season.

“Flu spreads easily during this time of the year when we gather together indoors. It is not too late to get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best tool we have to prevent serious illness,” Ojikutu said.

Another precaution residents can take is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, according to the CDC.

People should stay home from work, school, and holiday gatherings when they are sick, the CDC said. They can resume normal activities once they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours and their symptoms are improving overall.

It’s also important to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, according to the CDC, as influenza viruses are believed to spread via respiratory droplets.

Health officials recommend frequently washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if a sink is not available. And when out and about, you should avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

If you’re hosting people, you should clean frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs, the CDC said.