LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- There have been at least 2.9 million illnesses, 30,000 hospitalizations and 1,200 deaths from flu so far for the current flu season in the United States, according to latest estimates of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Friday.
Seasonal influenza activity continues to rise across most parts of the country, the CDC said. Influenza A (H3N2) remains the predominant strain circulating this season.
For the week ending Dec. 6, U.S. public health laboratories reported 547 influenza virus detections nationwide. The first pediatric death associated with influenza this season was also reported this week.
The CDC urges everyone aged six months and older who has not yet been vaccinated to receive an annual flu shot.
Several prescription antiviral medications are available to treat influenza, the CDC noted. These treatments work best when started early and are especially important for people at higher risk of developing severe flu-related complications, it said. ■