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2017-2018 Flu Season: The Deadliest in 40 Years

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last winter was the deadliest year for the flu in the last 40 years. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, announced that it’s estimated that 80,000 people died from the flu and complications from the virus. Complications can include: pneumonia, stroke, and heart attack. In comparison, flu deaths during the last few seasons were anywhere from 12,000 to 56,000.

February 2018 marked the month with the highest number of infected people, and the virus subsided by late March.

The severity of the flu last season is attributed to a specific strain of the flu, specifically dangerous to the elderly and children. Flu shots also weren’t as effective as usual.


While the vaccination was less successful last season, Redfield encourages people to get the vaccination as it can lessen the severity of the flu.

While 80,000 people are estimated from dying from the virus, it isn’t an exact number. This is because not all flu-related deaths were reported, and the flu isn’t always listed as the cause of death.

The good news is the CDC is already prepping for the upcoming flu season, and it’s estimated to be much milder than last year’s virus. According to a CDC flu expert, the vaccinate is expected to have a much higher efficiency as well.