Good evening. We begin tonight with this flu outbreak across 41 states in this country now. And at this time last week, it sadly had claimed 18 lives. Well, tonight in just the space of a weeks time, 18 deaths have now been reported, just today in one state, in massachusetts. Where the city of boston has now declared a Public Health emergency, and its now a big front in the spread of this flu during this already mean season. Tonight we want to begin with our chief medical editor, dr. Nancy snyderman. She is at briggamans Womens Hospital in boston. Nancy, good evening. Good evening, brian. Influenza is putting a stranglehold on communities around this country, and tonight i have to tell you that ive now been in two large city Emergency Departments in this two days and ive never seen anything like this in the united states. At bostons briggamans Womens Hospital, veteran e. R. Nurse jana gil has seen it all. Ive been working here for 27 years in the er. But she has never seen a flu season
We have seen a huge increase in patients coming in, with the nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and upper respiratory infections with the fever and cough and body aches. I am declaring a Public Health emergency in the city of boston. Bostons mayor is warning the threat is very serious. So far this season, there have been approximately 700 cases in this city alone. A tenfold increase from last years entire flu season. Across the united states, schools in some areas are temporarily closed or postponing extracurricular activities. And its now so bad that hospitals like the mayo clinic and others are restricting visitors or prohibiting them all together, at least for the time being. And its getting worse. Its come back early and rather fiercely. Its a rather virulent strain so were having a moderate to severe influenza season, just like the old days. Beverly moss said her symptoms started suddenly. And by last night she couldnt breathe. It was like something just hit me like a mac truck. And i jus