Experts are pointing to an early flu season this year

EL PASO, Texas - Health officials are becoming increasingly concerned about this year's flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Texas Department of State Health Services data indicate higher numbers of the flu than typical for this time of year.

Health officials say that social distancing and wearing a mask during covid, made the flu nearly disappear in the U.S. That means most people haven't been exposed to the virus in two years. Leading to a lower immunity towards the flu.

Flu activity in the U.S. usually starts to increase in the month of October and starts to peak between December and February.

One sign of the flu season coming early is that Australia faced its worst flu season in five years. Although Australia is half a world away, its flu season is sometimes used as a predictor for our own.

Some good tips to help keep yourself safe is by avoiding close contact, covering your mouth and nose, cleaning your hands, and getting your flu shot each year.

More than 105 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed in the United States at this time. Find where you can get your vaccine at https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/