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California, Texas, Kansas, and Kansas have reported cases of “flurona,” in people who have both seasonal flu and COVID-19.
While the first case was discovered in Israel, no cases were reported in the United States until now.
In Los Angeles, a teenaged boy tested positive late last week for both diseases at a COVID testing facility in Brentwood, The Los Angeles Times reported.eported. The mother of the child confirmed positive for COVID the following day.
“This is the first instance of which we’re aware,” Steve Farzam (chief operating officer at 911 COVID Testing) said to The LA Times. “In all of itself, it’s not overly concerning; however, it is concerning and can be problematic for someone who has pre-existing medical conditions, anyone who is immunocompromised.”
The teen and his five siblings had just returned from a vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. All said they tested negative prior to their trip, but they tested again after they got home because one of the children had a runny nose, Farzam said.
The boy, who has not been vaccinated for COVID or the flu but does not have any serious symptoms and is recovering at home.
A Houston teenager, his siblings and his father felt sick just days before Christmas. TV station KTRK reported that the family went to the hospital to undergo tests. The teen was positive for both COVID and flu.
Alec Zierlein, a teenager who was tested for COVID, strep throat, and the flu the day before Christmas. “I didn’t believe I had any of the three. It felt like a mild cold.”
Health officials announced Wednesday that a patient suffering from flu was discovered in Hays, KS. TV station WIBW reported. The patient was being treated at the intensive-care unit. No other details were provided.
According to the Times of Israel, flurona was found in Israel in pregnant women who was not vaccinated at Rabin Medical Center in Petach Tikva. The woman was positive for both viruses upon arrival at the medical facility, and doctors double-checked her diagnosis.
The woman was suffering from mild symptoms but was released in good shape according to the news outlet.
Public health officials in Israel have expressed concern that an increase in both virus at the same time could result in a number of hospitalizations.
Sources
The Los Angeles Times “L.A. County is first to identify a flurona” case, a co-infection with flu and COVID
KTRK. “Houston teen details personal experience dealing with flu and COVID at same time” https://abc13.com/houston-coronavirus-flu-spread-what-is-flurona/11425772/
WIBW. WIBW.
The Times of Israel: ” “‘Flurona’ Israel is the first country to report a case of a patient suffering from COVID and flu at same time”
