New Hampshire is one of 43 states where the influenza virus is widespread according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hospitals across the state have seen patients with flu-like symptoms pour into their emergency rooms in recent weeks.
Chris Adamsky is the Bureau Chief for Infectious Disease at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
“What we do know is for this year, we are seeing widespread. And as compared to certainly last year and probably the year prior—those prior two years were relatively mild. So this is early and it’s active.”
Adamsky says there have been no deaths reported so far this month but that December saw 13 flu-related deaths.
She encourages Granite Staters to get vaccinated and to take precautions like washing hands and staying home if you’re sick.