Flu outbreak at Air Force basic training hub grows to 222 cases as military reinstates flu shot requirement for recruits
By
Dr. Jade Cobern, Luis Martinez, Mary Kekatos, Steve Beynon
Summary
A flu outbreak at the Air Force's basic training hub in San Antonio (Lackland Air Force Base) is worsening, with at least 222 recruits diagnosed and four hospitalized as of Tuesday. This is a sharp increase from 159 cases and two hospitalizations the previous week. One recruit's death remains under investigation, though it's unclear if it's tied to the outbreak. The outbreak comes amid a policy shift: in April, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made flu shots optional for military personnel, but military services are now again requiring recruits to get flu shots as the outbreak grows.
Source
bskyFlu outbreak at Air Force basic training hub grows to 222 cases as military reinstates flu shot requirement for recruitsabcnews.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledAt least 222 recruits at Lackland Air Force Base, part of Joint Base San Antonio, had been diagnosed with the flu and four had been hospitalized.
This marks a sharp increase from the 159 cases and two hospitalizations reported last week.
The death of one recruit remains under investigation, though it is not yet clear whether it is tied to the outbreak.
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