Flu cases tripled in Arizona compared to last year

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KSWT, KECY) - Over 950 cases of the flu have been reported in Arizona this season compared to 290 this time last year.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) says that more than half of the cases are in infants and adolescents.

“We do know we’re beginning to see patients present with cold and flu symptoms that do indicate that the flu is approaching extremely quickly,” said Doug Rogers, the of CEO Sunset Community Health Center in Yuma.

Rogers said epidemiologists look at other parts of the world as a possible indicator of how the United State’s flu season will go.

“Take Australia for instance," Rogers said. "If Australia has a bad flu season, then there’s a pretty good chance that the United States is going to have a pretty bad flu season.”

Australian health officials say that 2019 was the second largest flu season the country has had in 20 years.

There are many places to get the flu shot in Yuma including Sunset Health, Walmart, Walgreens and CVS.