A major flu epidemic in 41 states, of which 29 also report high or severe levels of sickness, is putting a strain on the U.S. economy. Employers typically dole out relief costs to the tune of $10.4 billion each flu season, not including indirect costs due to lost productivity and an absent workforce.
A non-epidemic flu results in the hospitalization of more than 200,000. Although flu season usually peaks in late January or early February, this season's strain was already severe and widespread by November. The CDC reports 2,257 flu-related hospitalizations so far, and many states are reporting deaths.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics traditionally expects employee absences during peak flu seasons to rise 32 percent higher than the rest of the year. During the last severe flu season in 2008, the highest number of absentees was 3.3 million. Doctors urge everyone older than 6 months to get a flu shot or vaccine. It's not too late to get a shot now, as the virus will likely continue to spread for the next several months.
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