Flu Epidemic Turns Deadly In Our Area, Across Country

This year's severe flu season has claimed lives in our area.

A spokesperson from the Lehigh Valley Health Network confirms a baby died over the weekend.

This year's flu epidemic in so severe that the hospital set up a special triage tent.

In just the past two days, the hospital tells us they've seen between 80 and 100 patients for flu symptoms.

Pennsylvania recorded 22 flu-related deaths this season, as of Jan. 5, according to the state's Department of Health.

The counties surrounding Philadelphia region are seeing some of the worst concentration of cases.

In other state, like Illinois, so many patients with flu-like symptoms are flooding emergency rooms that hospitals have been forced to turn away ambulances with non-emergency cases.

U.S. health officials say the strain of influenza virus going around this year has been linked to more hospital admissions and deaths.

But doctors are still trying to figure out why this year's strain is so bad.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 states are reporting high flu activity, and 41 states are reporting widespread geographic flu activity for the week that ended Dec. 29.

Health officials around the country agree that it is not too late to get a flu shot, and this would be a really good year to get one.

For more information on where you can find flu shot clinics, click here.