Over 500 flu-related deaths reported in NC this season; vaccination, preventative measures encouraged
'Back in December, I came down terribly with the flu, and I was bedridden for several days,' he said.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the reported flu deaths for the 2024-25 season on Wednesday, saying more than 500 people diagnosed with flu died across North Carolina this past respiratory virus season. This marks the highest number of flu-related deaths since 2009, state health officials said, a fact that has left many, including Samalia Idris, in a state of shock.
Idris, who contracted COVID-19 a few years ago and had a brief hospital stay, now gets a flu shot every year. Her experience has taught her the importance of vaccination and she now takes her flu shot without fail, along with other preventive measures like wearing a mask.
Two Charlotte teens accused of promoting street takeovers on social media, court docs show
Dr. David Weber with UNC Medical Center Chapel Hill says wearing a mask is one way to protect yourself because the numbers are higher than usual.
'We have seen high numbers this season, and here at our medical center, we have seen 12 deaths from influenza. They have been all adults so far this year,' he said.
Dr. Weber says the cases have begun dropping but still recommends the flu shot. He says giving you immunity will still take about one to three weeks. He also says high-risk individuals with underlying heart or lung diseases, diabetes, or anyone older than 65 should still consider a flu shot.
'This year, if you look at the vaccine, most of the studies have shown it 50 to 60 percent effective keeping you from getting ill but more like 60 to 80 percent effective from getting hospitalized,' he said.
As the season winds down, Vasenta says he will be in line next season for a vaccine.
'Ultimately, I want to cover all bases to make sure I'm good, and hearing something like the numbers this season are terrible,' said Watson.
Dr. Weber strongly recommends a combination of preventive measures, including wearing a mask, frequent handwashing, and getting a flu shot. He also points out that many local pharmacies offer flu shots for free, making it easier for everyone to stay safe.
NCDHHS officials said this grim milestone serves as a reminder that seasonal influenza and other respiratory viruses can be serious, and even deadly in some cases.
'We are deeply saddened by the loss of life this respiratory virus season,' North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai said in a released statement. 'These numbers would be even higher without the dedication of the NCDHHS Division of Public Health and local health department teams who provide flu education, distribute vaccines, and support treatment and prevention efforts in all 100 counties. Their work saves lives every single day.'
Heartbreak remains in WNC as search for the missing continues
'This trust is a clear signal that public health is more important than ever,' said Dr. Kelly Kimple, interim state health director and NCDHHS chief medical officer. 'I'm incredibly proud of the dedication and impact of our public health teams across the state. Now is the time to match that trust with stable, long-term investment in our public health workforce and infrastructure so we can continue to protect our communities for years to come.'
In early March, NCDHHS officials warned of a recent spike in flu cases throughout the state.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
34 minutes ago
- Politico
Trump's next health nominee in the hot seat
Presented by With help from Simon Levien Driving the Day CHRISTINE FACES QUESTIONING — President Donald Trump's choice for a top post at HHS, Dr. Brian Christine, goes before senators today for a confirmation hearing. Christine will face questioning from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee as lawmakers consider his nomination to be assistant secretary for health — one of the highest-ranking jobs at HHS and a position often held by admirals in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. Why it matters: If he advances through the committee and is eventually confirmed by the full Senate, Christine, a men's sexual health doctor and GOP donor, would oversee thousands of uniformed public-health service members and be charged with carrying out Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s public health agenda, Simon reports. One of the highest-ranking positions at the agency, the assistant secretary for health advises the HHS secretary and recommends policy related to public health matters like disease prevention, vaccine programs and health disparities. He would also help lead a new HHS office called the Administration for a Healthy America, which consolidates existing agency offices to focus on primary care, maternal and child health, mental health, environmental health, HIV/AIDS and workforce development. Background: Christine, a urologic surgeon at Urology Centers of Alabama, has previously criticized the acceptance of transgender health care and the federal government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. He's expressed opposition to trans athletes competing in women's sports and has said on his podcast — called 'Common Sense,' and last airing two years ago — that children experiencing gender dysphoria should seek counseling or 'pastoral care,' not gender-affirming treatments. He's also come under scrutiny after The Wall Street Journal reported in March that his Alabama urology practice advertised its work treating transgender men with erectile dysfunction. Christine has denied treating trans patients. Since taking office, Trump has directed HHS to restrict access to gender-affirming care treatments for children and teens. The Alabama GOP has praised Christine's nomination, calling him 'a longtime Conservative grassroots activist and dedicated supporter of the Alabama Republican Party.' In 2024, Christine contributed more than $8,500 to Trump's campaign. Key context: Dr. Rachel Levine, a pediatrician and the highest-ranking openly trans person to serve at the federal level, held the job during the Biden administration. Levine, who used the post to advocate gender-affirming care, was frequently the target of anti-trans attacks from Trump and his allies. WELCOME TO WEDNESDAY PULSE. Today marks the third anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and awareness of the hotline is up dramatically from 2022, according to a new National Alliance on Mental Illness poll. Send your tips, scoops and feedback to khooper@ and sgardner@ and follow along @kelhoops and @sophie_gardnerj. HAWLEY'S ABOUT-FACE — Just weeks after voting for massive cuts to Medicaid in the GOP's 'big, beautiful bill,' Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley introduced a bill Tuesday that would walk back those cuts. Hawley repeatedly voiced his opposition to deep Medicaid cuts throughout the megabill negotiation process, specifically provisions that would hit rural hospitals. But he ultimately voted 'yes' on the recently enacted legislation, which contains more than $1 trillion in health care cuts and a provision that would cap state provider taxes — a move that hospitals have said could deeply reduce their revenue and limit access to health care for millions of Medicaid enrollees. Hawley said he voted for the bill's passage after negotiating for the inclusion of a $50 billion rural hospital fund but said at the time that he would 'continue to do everything in my power to reverse future cuts to Medicaid.' His new legislation, the Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act, would repeal the megabill's moratorium on taxes that states impose on providers to generate more Medicaid funding, which helps boost payments to hospitals. Hawley's bill would repeal megabill provisions that reduce state-directed payments — which enable states to increase the rates that privately run Medicaid managed care plans reimburse providers. His legislation would also double the megabill's investment in the rural hospital fund to $100 billion and extend the fund from five to 10 years. 'President Trump has always said we have to protect Medicaid for working people. Now is the time to prevent any future cuts to Medicaid from going into effect,' Hawley said in a news release. Global Health PEPFAR U-TURN — Senate Republicans on Tuesday stripped cuts to global AIDs funding from the White House's $9.4 billion spending clawback request, POLITICO's Jordain Carney and Cassandra Dumay report. Republicans will remove a $400 million cut to the global AIDS program known as PEPFAR, reducing the amount of cuts in the package to $9 billion, said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), who's leading the rescissions effort in concert with the White House. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he expects the removal to be the only change made to the rescissions package, adding that there was a 'lot of interest' among Senate Republicans to address the cut to the program created under then-President George W. Bush and credited with saving tens of millions of lives. News of the change came after White House Budget Director Russ Vought briefed senators during a closed-door lunch Tuesday. Schmitt said the White House is on board with the change. 'We're fine with adjustments,' Vought told reporters. 'This is still a great package, $9 billion, substantially the same package. The Senate has to work its will, and we've appreciated the work along the way to get to a place where they think they've got the votes.' Background: Several GOP senators, including Appropriations Chair Susan Collins of Maine, had raised concerns about the AIDS funding cuts. It's unclear whether the $400 million rollback will be enough to secure her vote, but it might placate enough Republicans to advance the package through the Senate. Other Republicans being watched closely are Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran. At the Agencies HOSPITAL PAY CUT — The Trump administration is proposing cutting $280 million in payments to certain hospital clinics for administering drugs to patients, POLITICO's Robert King reports. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the cut would ensure that Medicare beneficiaries aren't charged more for the same service at a hospital than at an independent clinic. The proposed rule is likely to generate fierce pushback from the hospital industry, which has successfully fought similar congressional efforts. The rule also outlines 2026 Medicare payment rates for hospital outpatient services and ambulatory surgical centers and includes new changes to boost price transparency. 'These reforms expand options and enforce the transparency Americans deserve to ensure they receive high-quality care without hidden costs,' CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said in a statement. Background: The first Trump administration adopted a policy in 2019 to lower payments for outpatient hospital clinics to align them with those of independent clinics. Now, CMS wants to expand that policy to include services for storing or administering pharmaceuticals to patients. The agency estimates the change will reduce Medicare spending by $280 million, with $210 million allocated to Medicare and $70 million to Medicare beneficiaries thanks to lower co-insurance rates, according to a fact sheet on the rule. Key context: Site-neutral payments — when Medicare pays the same amount for the same service regardless of where it's provided — have gotten bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. But packages have never made it across the finish line partly due to fervent lobbying from the hospital industry, which argues the payment cuts would imperil the finances of vulnerable hospitals. What's next: The rule has a 60-day comment period before final approval. WHAT WE'RE READING POLITICO's Lauren Gardner reports on Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal suggesting he's open to changing the federal vaccine injury program. KFF Health News' Darius Tahir reports in NPR that researchers fear a program that collects DNA data from millions of retired military service members could be in limbo. Endpoints News' Jared Whitlock reports on the Trump administration's disbanding of a newborn screening panel for rare conditions.
The Hill
37 minutes ago
- The Hill
COVID cases rising in 25 states, but nationwide activity ‘low': CDC
Infections of COVID-19 are growing or likely growing in half of the U.S. as of early July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. Modeling from the agency shows the West Coast, Southeast and South are the primary region for increased cases, though it maintains that activity overall remains 'low' nationwide. The probability that the epidemic is growing is highest in California, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Ohio, among others. The agency's wastewater monitoring dashboard tells a similar story, with Florida and Alabama leading the country in viral activity levels. Its most recent data comes from the week leading up to July 5. COVID-19 infections part of summer spike The uptick is part of a predicted summer spike, which lasts from July to September as part of a twice-a-year pattern recently identified by the CDC. The second spike comes in winter, typically from December to February. 'Our analysis revealed biannual COVID-19 peaks in late summer and winter, a pattern that is expected to persist as long as the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and cyclical S1 diversity continues,' agency scientists wrote. A vast majority of the country has seen a 'minimal' percentage of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at emergency department visits in the past week, CDC data shows. Some states did report a 'substantial' percentage change, including New Mexico, Georgia, Kentucky and Virginia.' 'Razor blade throat' COVID variant: What to know The data comes amid reports of a new COVID-19 variant internationally. NB.1.8.1., or 'Nimbus,' has been afflicting patients with 'razor blade throat.' The symptom has been identified by doctors in the United Kingdom, India and elsewhere, according to media outlets in those countries. Airport screening in the U.S. detected the new variant in travelers arriving from those regions to destinations in California, Washington state, Virginia and New York.
Medscape
2 hours ago
- Medscape
New Data on Postoperative Delirium a ‘Call to Action'
Postoperative delirium following noncardiac surgery was linked to a 3.5-fold higher risk for death or major complications, but low-cost interventions focusing on avoiding patient disturbances can mitigate those negative outcomes, a new landmark study showed. An estimated one in 30 patients in the study experienced postoperative delirium, with high levels of variation in incidence rates among hospitals. Researchers said the findings are a 'call to action' to health providers to proactively manage the risks of postoperative delirium. 'This study is not just about identifying a problem, but it's also about giving people a sense of the scope of the problem. When you do that, it kind of energizes people to say okay, let's go out and see if we can do something about this,' principal investigator Laurent Glance, MD, professor and vice-chair for research in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine (URMC), Rochester, New York, told Medscape Medical News . The study is the largest to date to examine the clinical implications of postoperative delirium on a national scale and was published online on July 8 in JAMA Network Open . Acute Brain Failure Postoperative delirium was once thought to be a minor and temporary complication. However, that has changed over the past decade. The American Geriatrics Society, which describes postoperative delirium as 'acute brain failure,' recommends the condition be treated as a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. The cost of managing the condition runs roughly $26 billion to $42 billion in the US each year, and recent studies have linked postoperative delirium to the development of dementia in older adults. For this study, investigators used Medicare claims data from 2017 to 2020 of more than 5.5 million adults over the age of 65 years (mean age, 74.7; 57.2% women). Postoperative delirium was identified based on ICD-10 codes. Postoperative delirium was identified in 3.6% of cases. Patients with delirium were more likely to be male and have comorbidities, including cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, and dementia. Compared to patients without delirium, those with the condition were significantly more likely to experience death or major complications (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.47), non-home discharges (aOR, 3.96) and 30-day mortality (aOR, 2.77; P < .001 for all). Findings were similar even after adjusting for hospital characteristics and excluded the patients admitted in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Opportunity for Improvement' Investigators also found a nearly threefold variation in the rates of postoperative delirium among the 3169 hospitals included in the study. 'When you see that level of variation, what it tells you is that there is an opportunity for improvement,' Glance said. In fact, researchers noted that prior work found that postoperative delirium is preventable in up to 40% of cases. '[Postoperative delirium] is not something that's guaranteed because you're older or because you have multiple medical problems,' lead author Heather Lander, MD and assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at URMC, Rochester, New York, told Medscape Medical News . 'This is something that we as a healthcare system can identify early,' she added. Variability among institutions could also be due to differences in coding accuracy and delirium screening, instead of reflecting true differences in hospital performance, the investigators wrote. Delirium Often Underreported The incidence of postoperative delirium reported in the study is markedly lower than previously reported rates of roughly 20% for noncardiac surgery patients. The researchers noted that incidence of postoperative delirium is known to be underreported in Medicare claims data. Postoperative delirium can be miscoded as other conditions for financial incentives or go undetected by clinicians, particularly for hypoactive delirium where patients may not show typical symptoms of restlessness or disorientation. Commenting on the finding for Medscape Medical News , Donna Fick, PhD, distinguished professor at Pennsylvania State University College of Nursing, University Park, Pennsylvania, noted that the miscoding of postoperative delirium might underrepresent affected patients in the study. 'When you use ICD-10 codes, claims or administrative data to examine this problem, you're dependent on clinicians coding the delirium, and we know that that's grossly under representative,' said Fick, who was not part of the study. Given the poor health outcomes identified and extrapolated onto a likely higher number of patients affected, this is a 'really important study' to represent delirium impacts on a national scale, Fick added. The authors also did a good job of controlling for important variables, including economic and social determinants of health as well as frailty and comorbidity, she said. Reducing Delirium Rates Investigators also found that patients undergoing surgery in hospitals with a higher rate of postoperative delirium had 1.5-fold higher odds of experiencing it compared to hospitals with lower rates. However, 'the inference from that finding has to be very carefully interpreted,' Esther Oh, MD, PhD, professor and associate director of the Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer's Treatment Center, Baltimore, told Medscape Medical News. Some hospitals that are referral-based will take sicker patients compared to smaller hospitals, and those that have a delirium screening policy will find more delirium as a direct result, Oh noted. Both Oh and Fick supported several low-cost, nonpharmacologic interventions to reduce delirium risk that Glance and colleagues recommended in the study, including avoiding sleep disturbance, sensory support and enhanced screening for at-risk patients. 'It would be our hope eventually that postoperative delirium will be one of the quality metrics that will be used by CMS to evaluate hospital quality,' Glance said. In doing so, public reporting will enhance transparency, awareness and accountability of this issue and hospitals might up their efforts to reduce the rates of postoperative delirium, he added.
