Flu cases up in Alabama from last season

Williamson said the flu season began to take off in November, rather than the usual start in January, and it remained busy through December and into early January. He said he would not be surprised to see the flu rate last into March.

The state Department of Public Health doesn't tally the number of flu cases in the state, but based on information that is available, Williamson said the outbreak is greater than last season, which was mild. "It's compatible with what we've seen in our busier influenza seasons. It's certainly not as high as it was during our pandemic," he said.

In 2009, Alabama had athletic competitions and other events postponed because of the flu pandemic. A private school in Huntsville canceled classes for two days last month because so many students and faculty were ill, but the cancellations have been nothing like 2009.

Williamson said about 12 percent of the visits to Alabama doctors' offices in late December were for flu-like symptoms, which was nearly double the highest point a year ago.

Dr. Stephen Russell, medical director of the UAB Moody Medical Center near Birmingham, said the three-physician practice saw 56 cases by the end of December and saw many more patients with flu-like symptoms. "It's a much busier flu season than we are accustomed to," he said.