An early flu outbreak is hitting New York City and the rest of America like a winter blizzard.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifically noted Big Apple doctors are reporting a high number of patients with “influenza-like” symptoms.
The city Health Department confirmed that bouts of the flu have arrived early.
“Influenza activity in New York City is continuing to increase. All New Yorkers should receive a flu shot this year,” said department spokesman Sam Miller.
The CDC said the current vaccine covers the three major strains: H1N1, which raged in 2009, H3N2 and influenza B.
The CDC said there are other flu viruses out there not covered by the vaccine. But it said taking the flu shot could even help minimize illness for the viruses strains not covered.
The flu is now widespread in 41 states. The city and 29 states have reported high or “severe” levels of influenza, the CDC said.
The CDC reports that 2,257 people have been hospitalized with the flu as of the week of Dec. 29. Eighteen children have died from the illness this season.
CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said it’s too soon to predict how bad this flu season will be.
“This season is stacking up to be a moderate or severe season. Even in average seasons, thousands of people die from the flu and hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized,” he said.