Flu season is underway, mainly in the western part of the country, and likely will worsen as holiday travelers return home, in some cases carrying flu viruses with them, health experts say.
"Disease activity is increasing, and we're seeing that largely in the Southwest at this point," said Jeanne Santoli of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Immunization Program.
Health officials in Utah and Arizona report widespread flu, and in Los Angeles, the county health department says patients with sore throats and fevers are crowding emergency rooms.
"Last year was really mild and late, but this year it seems to be hitting us earlier, and we're really seeing it skyrocket," Arizona state Epidemiologist Dave Engelthaler said. "We know it's probably going to get worse before it gets better."
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