Flu activity increasing in New Mexico

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

The New Mexico Department of Health says flu activity is increasing across the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says nationwide, one in 15 doctor visits were for influenza-related symptoms last week.
That's the highest amount since the 2009 swine flu epidemic. Here's what you need to know about this year's strain of the flu:

-The DOH says 18 New Mexicans have died from the flu so far this season. Seventy-two died from pneumonia.

-Experts say the flu vaccine is only 15-20 percent effective this year. Typically, the vaccine prevents influenza 50-70 percent of the time.

-The CDC says at this rate, about 34 million Americans will have gotten sick from the flu by the end of the season.

-This year's flu strain is called H3N2. State Epidemiologist, Michael Landen says the strain is more severe and is the same type of flu as the 2014-2015 season.

-Landen says hospitals have experienced bed shortages in the last month because of the high volume of flu cases, but beds currently are available in the state.

-The Department of Health says they've investigated 21 flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities, which is higher than the amount reported in the entire flu season last year.