As reported in the Washington Post:

"This year's flu season is already the most widespread on record since health officials began keeping track 13 years ago, and has already caused the deaths of more children than what normally would be expected at this time of the year, federal health officials have said.

During the third week of January, more people sought care for flulike illnesses than at any comparable period in nearly a decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent weekly report shows. Seven children died in the week ending Jan. 20, bringing the total number of pediatric deaths this flu season to 37. Nearly 12,000 people have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza since the season started Oct. 1. The flu activity indicators are notable for the sheer volume and intensity of flu that is taking place in most of the country at the same time....This flu season started early, and the entire country is experiencing widespread and intense flu activity. The data show there's been a very rapid increase in the numbers of people going to see their doctors or health-care providers."