Flu epidemic shows no sign of slowing

This season’s U.S. flu epidemic shows no sign of loosening its grip. One in every 13 people who went to the doctor last week had a fever, a cough, and other flu-like symptoms, according to government monitors. That makes this the worst flu season since 2003—equal in severity to the 2009 swine flu epidemic. Not only is the flu widespread, it’s nastier than normal, sending more people to the hospital than the more common strains of the virus that come around every year. Researchers are trying to figure out why this year’s epidemic has lasted so long. Not only did it start early, it appears likely to stretch past February, when flu season normally peaks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 43 states reported high flu-related patient traffic in hospitals. Cases remain widespread in every state except Hawaii and Oregon.