CDC: Flu season picks up, widespread in 5 states

[December 31, 2010]  ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) -- Flu season appears to be picking up.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says five states had widespread reports of flu last week, up from zero two weeks earlier.

A CDC report released Thursday says four of the states were in the South -- Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Virginia. The other was New York.

The report also says that tests of about 120 virus samples show the circulating flu strains seem to be well-matched to this season's flu vaccine.

Health officials say an estimated 23,600 flu-related deaths occur each year.

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Online:

CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

[Associated Press]

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