Flu season is early this year

The Flathead City-County Health Department reports that the number of tested and confirmed flu cases in the Flathead has increased from 25 on Dec. 22 to 98 as of last week.

Jody White, director of Community Health Services for the department, said the number of cases increased exponentially over two weeks. So far, only one person in the Flathead has been hospitalized because of the flu this season.

“So we’re starting to see more and more, which is typical, very typical, for influenza,” she said. ‘It’s a little bit earlier than usual to start seeing a spike in influenza cases, but not completely.”

The peak period is typically in late January or early February, but the earlier trend is appearing nationwide, White said. The peak was very late last year, peaking in the Flathead in March and April, with cases continuing into May, she said.

She said people are more vulnerable to catching the flu this time of year as people congregate for family activities and holiday parties.

“It’s still not too late to get your flu shot,” White said. “We have plenty of vaccine for all ages.”

For more information, call 751-8100 or visit online at www.flatheadhealth.org.