The flu virus.
The number of influenza cases has risen sharply in recent weeks in Pima County and statewide, according to data from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Of the 385 cases reported in Pima County this season, 199 occurred in the past three weeks, and 98 last week.
The trend happened about the same time last year, and signaled a lead up to the worst part of the season.
“Last year we hit our peak number of cases about mid-March, and it looks like we’re tracking around that this year as well," said the state Health Department's Jessica Rigler. "But it’s hard to say until we see what happens.”
Despite the increase, this year's flu cases are about half of normal.
Rigler said you can avoid the flu through frequent hand washing and cleaning of surfaces others touch often, and it is not too late to get a flu shot.
A total of 3,280 cases of the flu have been reported statewide this season. Of those, 1,475 were reported in the past three weeks and 752 last week.
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