State Health Officer Don Williamson says Alabama's flu season started earlier than a year ago and there are more cases. But he said it's not out of line with some of the busiest years during the last decade.
Williamson said at a news conference Friday that Alabama's flu season took off in November and the most common type has been influenza A, which is covered by this season's flu shot. State health department officials can't say how many cases have been reported, but Williamson said 12 percent of the visits to Alabama doctors' offices in late December were for flu-like symptoms. That's nearly double the highest point a year ago.
Rosemary Blackmon of the Alabama Hospital Association said emergency rooms around the state have been full, but have handled it.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.