National Institute of Health: "We are into a flu epidemic" | News

Tampa, FL-- It's important to take a look at the national and state numbers as we have entered what the National Institute of Health is calling a "Flu epidemic".

Minnesota has already reported 27 flu-related deaths this season, and among children, there have been 18 deaths nationwide- two of which were in the state of Florida.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 43 out of 50 states are reporting wide-spread flu activity.

The Google flu trends chart uses search data to estimate activity, and in Florida, we've far surpassed any of our past six years. They officially put us into the "intense category."

Google also breaks down major cities, and Tampa does not fare much better.

Once again, we're having our worst year in the past six years, and we've barely crept into the intense category at this point. 

Stick with 10 News for more flu coverage this season.