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Louisiana Flu Rate Still Ranks Among Highest in Country

This is a picture of an influenza (flu) A virus. Influenza A viruses are classified by subtypes based on the properties of their hemagglutinin (H or HA) and neuraminidase (N or NA) surface proteins. There are 18 different HA subtypes and 11 different NA subtypes. Subtypes are named by combining the H and N numbers – e.g., A(H1N1), A(H3N2).
This is a picture of an influenza (flu) A virus. Influenza A viruses are classified by subtypes based on the properties of their hemagglutinin (H or HA) and neuraminidase (N or NA) surface proteins. There are 18 different HA subtypes and 11 different NA subtypes. Subtypes are named by combining the H and N numbers – e.g., A(H1N1), A(H3N2).

Community health specialist Dr. Eric Griggs says hospitalizations in Louisiana are up, as well.

Flu activity remains high in Louisiana. That’s the word from state health officials and detailed in the Respiratory Virus Dashboard provided by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). In fact, community health specialist Dr. Eric Griggs says hospitalizations in Louisiana are up, as well.

The U.S. map (above), provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows Louisiana in purple, which represents a very high level of what’s categorized as an influenza-like illness (ILI). Only three other states reach that same level, which includes New Mexico, Oregon and Tennessee.
Dr. Griggs said, “Remember now, with wastewater, the viral activity levels in Louisiana are very high for a COVID and very high for a flu and RSV. We’re getting more reports from the ER’s about visit for the flu, RSV and COVID.”

The graphic (above) provided by the LDH, displays the weekly percentage of all emergency department visits for respiratory illness from January 2024 to January 2025.
The graphic (above) provided by the LDH, displays the weekly percentage of all emergency department visits for respiratory illness from January 2024 to January 2025.

The graphic (above) provided by the LDH, displays the weekly percentage of all emergency department visits for respiratory illness from January 2024 to January 2025, showing the rates of serious illness are higher now, year to year. Specifically it shows the counts of COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV-like illness visits.
Dr. Griggs says only about 42% of Louisiana residents are vaccinated against the three viruses. He says even though we’re now in the peak season, It's not too late to get your shots.

The CDC’s Estimated Range of Annual Burden of Flu in the US from 2010 – 2023. The CDC estimates that flu has resulted in 9.3 million – 41 million illnesses, 100,000 – 710,000 hospitalizations and 4,900 – 51,000 deaths annually between 2010 and 2023.
The CDC’s Estimated Range of Annual Burden of Flu in the US from 2010 – 2023. The CDC estimates that flu has resulted in 9.3 million – 41 million illnesses, 100,000 – 710,000 hospitalizations and 4,900 – 51,000 deaths annually between 2010 and 2023.

On a wider scale, the CDC has created an estimated range of the annual burden of flu activity in the United States from 2010-2023. The CDC estimates that flu has resulted in 9.3 million – 41 million illnesses, 100,000 – 710,000 hospitalizations and 4,900 – 51,000 deaths annually between 2010 and 2023.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, and a graduate of the University of Washington, Jeff began his on-air broadcasting career 33 years ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota as a general assignment reporter.