Flu Season Is In Full Swing

Cases of the flu are turning up in good numbers in Louisiana. State health officials say flu season is in full swing with a large number of reported cases. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says flu activity is up already, when the season normally peaks in February or March. He says no one is sure why. Dr. Welch says Louisiana is seeing an early season surge in flu cases, but is unsure why. He says low rates of immunization is not the reason. Welch many people have taken the flu seriously this year—especially after last year's scare from the H1N1, or "swine" flu. Welch says any number of reasons could be behind the early season surge in flu cases, but so far, no one has gotten seriously ill from the bug. He says we all can do our part to help prevent flu viruses from Spreading.