Flu now widespread in Delaware

The majority of the state’s 168 confirmed cases of influenza were in southern Delaware.

Flu activity is on the rise in all three Delaware counties. The past three weeks have seen a steady uptick in flu-related visits to emergency rooms in the state according to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. 

The most recent numbers available show out of 168 cases in the state so far this season, 82 were confirmed from Nov. 23-29 with 63 percent of the flu cases reported in Sussex, 34 percent in Kent and just 14 percent in New Castle County.

Two people have died from flu-related illnesses so far in the state this year.

At this time last year, the state’s flu activity was sporadic, with just four confirmed cases in week 48 of 2013. The number of cases did eventually soar over the last season from the end of 2013 to the beginning of 2014. There were a total of 1,842 cases over last season. That was the highest number of cases since the ’09-’10 season when the state recorded 2,247 cases.

As part of the response to the rising number of cases, DHSS will continue its efforts to spread the word about the importance of getting the flu vaccine, even though the season is already well underway.