Only Tennessee, Hawaii Still Escaping Flu

Nine more children or teens have died of the flu, bringing the nation's total this season to 29, health officials said today. In a typical season, about 100 children die of the flu, so it is not known whether this year will be better or worse than usual. (This year's season started earlier than normal.) So far, half of confirmed flu cases are in people 65 and older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The flu is widespread in all states but Tennessee and Hawaii, and is starting to ease in some areas, the CDC said. (See the map here.)

Last week, the CDC said the flu again surpassed an "epidemic" threshold, based on monitoring of deaths from flu and a frequent complication, pneumonia. The flu epidemic happens every year, and officials say this year's vaccine is a good match for strains that are going around. Health officials say it's not too late to get the flu shot. (Assuming it's available.)