Lab-confirmed flu cases on Long Island more than doubled in a week, state figures show, the latest evidence that Nassau and Suffolk counties could face a rough influenza season.
Long Island is likely to see a “significant climb in the coming days and weeks” after holiday gatherings, said Dr. David Hirschwerk, medical director of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.
“Last year we started to see in our region a really steep incline toward the middle of December,” he said, noting that flu cases and hospitalizations are “a little bit higher” than this time last year.
Infectious disease experts have warned flu season may be severe based on several factors, including the rise of a variant subclade K from the influenza strain H3N2. That variant emerged after this season’s flu vaccine was formulated and was behind most of the flu cases in Japan and the United Kingdom.
Hirschwerk said currently RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, and COVID-19 are circulating at lower levels than they did this time last year, but pointed out that the holiday season and the numerous gatherings that can lead to more respiratory virus transmission have just started.
Suffolk County had 562 cases the week ending Nov. 22, the most recent available from the state Health Department. That was up from 223 the prior week. Nassau County had 726 cases in the same time period, up from 378. Statewide, there was a similar increase in confirmed flu cases, which only represent a portion of actual flu cases since many people who are sick may not seek testing or treatments.
State data shows hospitalizations for COVID-19 were up 2% to 292 the week ending Nov. 22 and RSV up 21% to 152. Flu increased 99% to 413. In addition, the number of people getting their flu vaccines has remained low — just about 20% of the population in Nassau County and 17% in Suffolk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the flu vaccine for those over 6 months.
“We are preparing for a challenging flu season and reminding parents that contrary to popular belief, the flu is potentially very serious for children,” said Dr. Eve Meltzer Krief, a pediatrician at Allied Physicians Group’s Huntington Village Pediatrics.
She pointed out that there were 280 influenza-associated pediatric flu deaths across the United States last year and 27 in New York State. Both were the highest number reported in a single season, according to state and federal officials. Most were not fully vaccinated and almost half did not have an underlying health condition that could have made them more vulnerable.
“Getting the flu vaccine significantly reduces the risk for serious illness, hospitalization and death from the flu even in a year when the vaccine is not a good match for the circulating strain,” she said.
Hirschwerk said now is a good time to get a flu vaccination.
“We are probably going to see a real climb [in flu cases] shortly,” he said. “There’s no time like now to get it.”
Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.