Flu Season 2015 Off to a Weak Start, Officials Say

The flu season has already begun, but experts are saying that it is off to a weak start. The illness started in the two states of North and South Dakota, which have confirmed 67 flu cases compared to the previous season that listed 6,443 cases. Last year's record was the largest thus far of all time, which claimed the lives of 54 patients in North Dakota, as reported by the Bismarck Tribune.

The Health Department's influenza coordinator, Jill Baber, said that "it is going to be a later season" and admitted, that at this time of the year in 2014, there were already 242 cases of flu recorded. She also added that a possibility of a later season will bring high number of cases that could happen early next year.

"The influenza is unpredictable," she added.

According to the report relayed by Herald Courier, the flu outbreak normally happens during winter, based on the official data. The epidemic typically starts in colder states which could occur as early as October. Although it started weak in some states, other areas may start recording their own cases as early signs of the flu have already been reported; nevertheless, the influenza appears to taking a long break.

The current weather may have anything to do with how the influenza affected people. The warm temperature that people experience in December does not normally happen every year. This allows many people to go outdoors without risking of infection.

"Typically what happens is, when you have a warm winter like this, you have a later flu season. So it will likely [peak] during the spring," said Dr. Dane Lee of Wellmont Urgent Care in Abingdon, Va. "What happens is the kids will go back to school, the temperature will drop, they'll start spreading it and it will take off [from there]."

The doctor also added that when people stay indoors because of the cold winter; the virus spreads faster because of the incubation.

CDC officials across the country are still urging people to get a flu shot. Doctors are saying not to take the virus lightly just because of a lower reported cases this year.

To dodge the hassle of the uncomfortable feeling the flu brings, the best preventive action a person can do to avoid being infected is getting a flu vaccine. Other preventive measures include, staying hydrated, always keep your hands clean and a good amount of exercising, The Huffington Post reported.