By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – State health officials say this flu season was mild...in Alabama. The state reported only local flu activity. But the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the flu was widespread next-door in Georgia. State epidemiologist J.P. Lofgren says it's a mystery why nearby states had a more severe flu season. During a normal season, the flu affects 10 to 20 percent of the population, but Lofgren says it never even reached that level in Alabama. Only 11 counties reported positive flu cases in a health department report. The CDC says 24 states reported widespread flu activity, and 20 reported regional flu activity.