New York Flu Cases Skyrocket With Bigger Surge Expected

The flu continues to spread across New York and the Hudson Valley.

New York State released new data, and it's bad news with the holidays coming.

Flu Cases Up Nearly 50 Percent In New York State

According to the New York State Department of Health, new cases are up nearly 50 percent during the week ending November 15, the latest week on record.

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The previous week, cases were up 80 percent. So this means in the past two weeks, the flu has skyrocketed at alarming rates across New York State.

Minus counties in the five boroughs, the flu is spreading across the Hudson Valley more than all other counties in New York.

Flu Expected To Get Worse

Experts believe an even bigger surge in cases is likely in the near future. That's due to people gathering for Thanksgiving and other upcoming holidays.

Right now, a new flu strain called Subclade K is the dominant strain across New York.

It popped up in Asia first, already prompting Japan to declare a flu epidemic. It also concerned health experts in the United Kingdom because the influenza season began a month earlier than normal.

Incoming: Thousands Fleeing Florida, California, Texas For New York
State

That's causing some infectious disease experts in the U.S. to predict a nasty flu season this year, especially with vaccination rates dropping.

Officials continue to say the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated. To find a flu shot clinic in your community, visit vaccines.gov.

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