Tennessee, Kentucky included in top two tiers of latest flu activity

Nineteen states are in the highest possible tier for flu activity, according to the latest report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC data compiled through December 27 said that 19 states, including Tennessee, were allocated a Level 13 for influenza activity, while 30 states, including Kentucky, were in the "very high" bracket, which includes Levels 11 to 13.

Just a few weeks prior in the middle of the month, only six states were in the "very high" flu bracket.

The 19 states that were in the highest tier for influenza activity as of December 27 were Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The other states that were labeled as "very high" for influenza activity, just under the highest tier possible, were Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia.

Health officials say the reason for a surge in cases toward the end of December may have been holiday gatherings. The surge could continue as children return to school. Kids are typically a major driver of influenza transmission.

They also warn that there has been a surge in "super flu" cases, an strain that results in more severe symptoms and from which patients take longer to recover.

Doctors say it's not too late to get a flu shot. Although the current flu vaccine may be less effective this year at preventing any illness, it will still likely lessen the symptoms if people do get infected. 


MAP: Flu activity by state through Dec. 27. (CDC)