Community Corner
Flu 'Widespread' in Illinois, Still Time to Get Flu Shot
Flu illnesses in Illinois have increased significantly in the past two weeks, and the state is now seeing widespread flu activity, according to the CDC.
Flu activity in Illinois has increased significantly over the past two weeks.
The state's flu activity is now listed as "widespread" on the Center for Disease Control's weekly influenza surveillance report.
The most recent flu illness data was submitted by Dec. 28, 2013.
Data collected only one week prior for the week ending Dec. 21 listed Illinois as having only localized flu activity - not yet having reached the "regional" outbreak level.
In one week, the number of flu cases spiked, bypassing the regional categorization and climbing to "widespread," the highest level on the CDC's surveillance chart.
The CDC says the number of flu illnesses continues to grow, and 25 states are now reporting widespread levels of flu activity.
"Additional increases across the country are expected in the coming weeks," the CDC website reports. "Anyone aged 6 months and older who has not gotten a flu vaccine yet this season should get one now."
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