Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

CDC: Flu season early, urges flu shot

|
|
 
  
Published: Nov. 18, 2003 at 7:21 AM

WASHINGTON, Afghanistan, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. federal health officials said the influenza season has started much earlier than usual and reminded people to get a flu shot right away.

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said Texas is experiencing an influenza outbreak statewide and cases have been reported in 30 other states.

The early flu season could be a sign this season may be especially severe, the CDC told a Washington news conference.

"We're very concerned that the flu season has had an earlier onset than we've seen in many years," Julie L. Gerberding, director of the CDC, said, the Washington Post reported.

"That's why we're here today -- to sound the alarm."

Anyone who wants a flu shot should get one, but health officials recommend influenza vaccination for anyone age 50 or older, people with health problems, children ages 6 months to 23 months and health care workers.

In a typical year, influenza sends about 114,000 to the hospital and kills about 36,000.

Topics: Julie L. Gerberding
© 2003 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Notable deaths of 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee AmfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala
Indianapolis 500 Presidential Medal of Freedom Memorial Day around the nation
Additional Top News Stories
1 of 20
Singer Janelle Monae arrives at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, California
View Caption
Singer Janelle Monae arrives for the MTV Movie Awards at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. UPI/Jim Ruymen
fark
The bar for spelling has never been lowre
Turns out men cheat way more than women after all
Famous last words: "The notion that it's too late to do anything is comical. It's hilarious. We're...
Five secrets to getting the best healthcare. #6: Don't get sick
Traveling to the U.S.? If invited to a dinner party, bring a gift of wine, but not cash or toiletries...
Man turns dead pet cat into remote-controlled helicopter, calls it art (w/WTF pics)