The 2012-13 flu season is an instance of flu season, which is the time of year when people are most likely to contract influenza or any influenza-like illness.
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Health organizations recommend that persons wishing to avoid the flu get vaccinated and practice hand washing, among other common responses to flu outbreaks.
Treatment and prevention
In response to the flu outbreak, various organizations issued recommendations for avoiding the flu.
China
European Union
United States
By the week ending December 29, 2012, the CDC reported that 29 U.S. states have high numbers of reports of flu. By January 13, nearly all U.S. states had experienced elevated influenza levels.
In January 9 after the city of Boston received reports of 700 cases of flu and 4 deaths, the city declared a public health emergency. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said that "people should take the threat of flu seriously" and that people should receive the influenza vaccine and practice health safety.
By January 7, 2013, there were 15,000 cases of flu reported in the U.S. state of New York. In the previous year's entire flu season, there were only 4400 cases in the same region. The Governor declared a Public Health Emergency, relaxing regulations as to whom pharmacists can immunize.
Treatment
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends that all persons in the United States receive an annual influenza vaccine. On January 11, 2013 the CDC reported that the vaccine available in the United States had a 62% vaccine efficacy with a 95% confidence interval of 51%-71%.