NC, SC hit hard by flu season on track to be more severe than last year

NORTH CAROLINA — This year’s flu season has been had and started earlier than usual, but now there are signs it could actually be one of the worst seasons in decades.

The director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases said it is impossible to predict how the flu will play out, but so far it is on track to be as severe as last year.

Last year’s season was the deadliest in more than four decades. As of last week, 2,900 people in the United States have died from the flu this season, which is 800 more than just the week before.

Experts warn this flu season could be more severe than normal Experts warn this flu season could be more severe than normal

Hospitalizations are also rising. Officials are reporting numbers to be as high as 55,000.

South Carolina has been hit particularly hard this year -- it has already had 15 deaths.

North Carolina is also experiencing high flu activity, where 10 people have died.

Health experts said it is possible the steep rise in flu activity could still reverse itself. If that happened, the season would not be as severe as last year.

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