Health officials are predicting a severe flu season, according to an article on the U.S. News & World Report website.
One pediatric flu-related death has already been confirmed. A 4-year-old in California with underlying health problems tested positive for the flu earlier this month and died.
Officials often look to Australia's flu season as an indicator of the upcoming season in the U.S. Australia experienced an early, severe flu season with the influenza strain H3N2 dominant.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the 2018-2019 flu season was moderately severe. It's 21-week duration made it the longest season in 10 years.