Western Pennsylvania sees spike in flu cases; Allegheny County tops list

Concern is growing about the flu after staggering numbers were released Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

From the last week of 2017 to the first week of the new year, the number of cases jumped by nearly 1,400 cases statewide.

“We're seeing about eight to 12 positive flu cases a day,” said Dr. Brent Rau of Allegheny General Hospital.

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On its website, the state health department codes flu activity, and currently characterizes the situation as a widespread outbreak.

In Allegheny County, there have been a whopping 1,842 flu cases this season.

“Allegheny County does have a large amount of elderly population,” Rau said. “That seems to be most likely affecting them."

It's estimated between 600,000 and 2.4 million Pennsylvanians will suffer from the flu each year.

On Monday, Channel 11 spoke with the family of a young man who died from complications of the flu. The seemingly healthy Kyler Baughman was just 21.

His family said he showed symptoms of the flu but thought he’d get better with a little rest. He was taken to the hospital and passed away not even 24 hours later.

It's a little too early in the season to tell the effectiveness of the flu shot this year, but doctors say it’s never too late for you to get one.

Cox Media Group