Health officials recommend flu shot

MOBILE, Ala, (WALA) - A deadly flu season is hitting hard across the country.

Several states are reporting double digit fatalities, including 22 deaths in South Carolina and 27 deaths in Minnesota.

The Southeast region of the country has especially been hit by the outbreak.

Health officials said this flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst on record.

“We haven't seen a flu season like this across the country in about 10 years,” said Monica Knight with the Mobile County Health Department. “This is one of the more virulent strains and is being easily spread.”

Knight is the director of disease control for the county and said the outbreak has continued to spread over the last couple of months.

“We usually see the flu season peak somewhere in March. This year move everything up two months. We got more sickness earlier and probably it will extend well into March,” she said.

Collectively, in Mobile hospitals, Knight said 940 tests on individuals came back for influenza-a; or H3N2.

That number only factors in the last two months and only counts emergency room visits.

She said there are no reported fatalities in our area, however, the Health Department is urging all citizens to get their flu shot as soon as possible.

Nearly 500 patients attended a drive-through flu shot clinic in Mobile on Friday.

Knight said besides washing away the germs, a flu shot is your best bet to keep you and your family safe.