ARIZONA

Arizona fighting the flu; state has highest rate of the illness in U.S.

Claire Cleveland

The Republic | azcentral.com

A map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 2016 influenza-like illness activity in the U.S.

Arizona had 1,600 cases of flu reported in the past week and currently has the highest level of influenzalike activity in the country, according to state and federal health agencies.

The 1,600 number was particularly high, said Jessica Rigler, bureau chief of epidemiology and disease control for the Arizona Department of Health Services.

"We see the most cases of flu reported in January and February, and while flu cases do go down, we have seen cases in the summer,” Rigler said.

The state Health Department reported the latest flu case information Wednesday. Flu cases are tracked year round by season, starting Oct. 1 and ending Sept. 30 every year, Rigler said.

While flu is generally associated with cold, wet weather, the Centers for Disease Control and prevention ranked Arizona with the highest level of influenzalike activity in the country.

This year's flu season got off to a slow start, but Rigler predicted Arizona will see more flu cases than last year, when 8,330 cases were reported from Oct. 1, 2014, to Sept. 30, 2015.

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Even though March is quickly approaching, it is still important to get a flu shot, Rigler said. The flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from the flu, she said. If you already have been vaccinated, Rigler said to remember to wash your hands and to stay home if you feel sick.

Historically, vaccination rates in Arizona are lower compared with other states, Rigler said. “If you haven’t been vaccinated already, it’s not too late," she said.