CDC: US is “in the thick” of flu season, cases nationwide

Associated Press

11 years ago

Christian Sanchez laughs as registered nurse Linda Cunha, left, tells him not to cry while getting his flu shot at the Ector County Health Department on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014, in Odessa, Texas. Sanchez said his mom has been sick and he was hoping getting the shot would keep him from catching the flu. (AP Photo/Odessa American, Ryan Evon)

ATLANTA — Flu season is ramping up, with illness widespread in at least 35 states. That’s up from 25 in the previous week.

A flu expert with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the agency’s weekly report released Friday shows “We’re in the thick of flu season.”

The CDC’s Lyn Finelli says the season likely hasn’t peaked, but that it’s too soon to know if it will be worse than normal.

The numbers aren’t as high so far as last year, when flu season started early. Flu usually peaks in January or February.

The number of people seeking medical care for the flu climbed to more than 4 percent of all doctor visits last week, a near doubling from two weeks earlier.