Virulent Flu Season Winding Down - East Idaho News
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Virulent Flu Season Winding Down

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GETTY H 010512 WomanBlowingNose?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1364062105878Pixland/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — This year’s virulent — and in some cases fatal — flu season is winding down, health officials say.

While the rate of flu activity is still elevated above normal for the end of March, activity declined in most parts of the U.S. last week. According to the Center for Disease Control, only one state, Michigan, is still reporting high levels of flu activity.

On the contrary, 38 states reported experiencing minimal flu activity. In a season that has been particularly dangerous for older people and younger children, the end of flu season is a welcome sight.

According to HealthDay News, just over 50 percent of flu-related hospitalizations have involved people over the age of 65.

While the official statistics on this flu season have not been released, officials insist that the number of flu-related deaths this year are above the threshold used to declare a flu epidemic.

Flu season usually peaks in late January and early February. The flu vaccine remains the best defense against the flu, says the CDC.

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