Flu ‘Widespread:' 1,300 Cases Reported in Arizona Last Week

If you haven’t been sick this winter, you probably know someone who has been. Influenza is widespread throughout Arizona.

More than 5,000 cases of flu have been reported this season, going back to early October. People in all 15 counties have been affected.

The Arizona Department of Health Services’ weekly tally shows more than 1,300 laboratory-confirmed cases last week and more than 1,000 the week before.

In the past two weeks, the number of cases has grown rapidly, especially in Maricopa and Pima counties.

State health officials say the numbers are a small proportion of the true extent of flu because most people don’t seek medical attention when ill. And not all physicians or clinics run tests on patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

While influenza outbreaks typically taper off in March, health officials say it’s not too late to be vaccinated.