RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Coming off last year's deadly flu season, Health and Human Services officials say they will be begin providing weekly flu outbreak data in mid-October.

In a statement, health officials urge North Carolinians to get vaccinated against the flu, noting that the season can begin early in the fall.


"It's not too early," said Acting State Health Director Dr. Megan Davies, M.D. in the statement. "The last three flu seasons have begun early in North Carolina, so we don't want people to wait too long."
 
During the past 2014 - 2015 season, North Carolina recorded its highest number of flu-associated deaths in the past six years.