Health officials said Friday that 27 people younger than 65 have died of the flu in California since October, compared with three at the same time last year.
Historicly, older adults who have suppressed immune systems represented a numerical higher fatality rate, so the virulence of this influenza seems to not hold this distinction.
Nationwide and in California, flu activity spiked sharply in late December and continues to grow.
Many hospitals are restricting and limiting visitors to immediate family with no cold or flu symptoms.
The British healthcare system is similarly under extreme pressure due to influenza,
and has gone "Condition Black"- accepting no new patients, and cancelling routine surgeries.
p