Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System is reporting triple the cases of flu-like illness compared to the same time period last year, according to NBC affiliate WRCB.
In the first few weeks of the 2019 flu season, Erlanger reported 112 flu cases to the county health department, compared to 37 cases during the same time in 2018, an Erlanger spokesperson told WRCB.
"Based on the number of reportable cases at this point in the flu season, we continue to stress the importance of area residents getting vaccinated as soon as possible," Steven Cooper, MD, medical director of Erlanger's community health centers, told WRCB. He added that the early increase is concerning, but not unusual since vaccines typically take two weeks to generate immunity.
U.S. flu activity is currently low, according to the CDC, but is expected to increase in the coming weeks. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older receive the flu shot.
Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System is reporting triple the cases of flu-like illness compared to the same time period last year, according to NBC affiliate WRCB.