Californians have dodged a bullet with a slow-starting flu season but national health officials announced Friday the flu season is finally officially here.
Until this month, there weren't enough flu cases in the U.S. to signal the start of the season. This is the latest start to a flu season since the winter of 1987-1988.
Flu season usually starts in December or January.
California reported its first influenza fatality at the end of December when a Kern County man in his late 30's died.
Ours is the only state that has seen widespread cases for the last two weeks the CDC reported Friday.
Often, the season is half over by late February.
CDC officials don't know why this season was slow but it could be a combination of factors.
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So far the flu vaccine seems well-matched to the strains making people sick. Last flu season was considered average.
Click here to get more information about flu or find a flu vaccine center near you.
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