Flu cases rising fast in Arizona

Arizona is nearing the end of flu season, but the past few weeks have brought a spike in reported cases.

There have been over 1,100 cases of influenza reported in Arizona in the current flu season, and nearly a third of those were reported last week. Influenza has been found in 14 of Arizona ’s 15 counties.

Dr. Cara Christ of the Arizona Department of Health Services says this flu season is peaking later than usual.

“Normally we start to see an increase in influenza at the end of January, beginning of February," Christ said. "So we’re not really sure what we’re to anticipate for the rest of the flu season. Are we going to see an increased number of cases from here on out? Is it going to drop back down, or is it only going to be very short lived? That we can’t tell.” 

Even though this flu season has taken an unusual turn, Christ says they’re always hard to predict.

“They’re all different," Christ said. "They’re all their own little beast.”

And Christ says if you haven’t gotten a flu shot, it’s still not too late.