US suffers flu epidemic
Influenza has officially reached epidemic proportions in the United States, with 7.3% of deaths last week caused by pneumonia and the flu.
The early start and fast spread of flu this season has overwhelmed doctors' offices and hospitals, forcing some patients to wait through the night to be seen in emergency departments.
Nine of the 10 US regions had "elevated" flu activity last week, confirming that seasonal flu has spread across the country.
