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(Douglas County, NE) -- Douglas County Health says flu activity is starting to rise. There have been 113 lab-confirmed cases of influenza so far this season, with 34 reported last week. Health officials consider the flu activity low at this time, but encourage everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot.
Douglas County Health says Pertussis activity remains high. A total of 151 cases have been reported so far this year, far exceeding our pre-pandemic yearly average. Pertussis activity has been increasing rapidly since October 1 and is mostly affecting school-aged children (7-19 years of age).
The CDC still anticipates that this respiratory season will mirror last year's season with regards to COVID-19, RSV, and influenza. Influenza activity in the United States during the 2023–2024 season was moderately severe, resembling pre-COVID-19 seasons in timing and intensity with activity peaking nationally in late December and locally in early March. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 predominated early in the season, but A(H3N2) and B/Victoria viruses became more common later, with no B/Yamagata viruses detected for the third consecutive season.