What state has the highest flu rate in the United States?
If you guessed Louisiana, you're right.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only the District of Columbia has a higher flu rate than Louisiana. Dr. Fred Lopez with LSU Health says low vaccination rates are partly to blame.
"As of November 9, only about a third of U. S. adults have gotten the flu vaccine," Lopez said, adding that COVID vaccination rates are around 20 percent and RSV vaccination rates among eligible Americans is around 40 percent. "We're not vaccinating at levels that we'd hope to, and the same is true for RSV vaccinations. We're low there, as well."
Dr. Lopez says outpatient facilities and emergency rooms across Louisiana are seeing an uptick in respiratory illnesses.
"RSV, COVID-19, and some other viruses like rhinoviruses and enteroviruses are contributing to these flu-like illnesses."
Dr. Lopez says the CDC's slogan for the flu vaccine still rings true. The vaccine, he says, takes the virus from "wild to mild."
"If you get vaccinated, you're much less likely to have severe illness than if you don't get vaccinated," Dr. Lopez said. "This is our best method for preventing the transmission of these illnesses."
Dr. Lopez urges people who know they are sick to stay home to avoid spreading respiratory viruses. Still, Dr. Lopez reminds people that they need to protect themselves from those who do venture into public they are infectious.
"Don't forget that it takes about two weeks for immunity to develop to these vaccinations," Dr. Lopez said. "It's not too late to get your vaccines: flu, COVID, and, in particular, RSV if you're eligible as well."