It's worse than last year, and it's showing up earlier than last year by one to two weeks. We are also finding more reports of influenza type A, which is harsher than type B.
We are encouraging people to get their vaccine. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to kick in, but it will definitely help protect them from catching influenza.
It is indeed unusual. We don't know why.
That's why we say the flu is unpredictable.
I believe, as it was during 1918, they would be discouraged.