Influenza catches on early this year in Minnesota

Influenza-like illnesses reported in Minnesota schools in mid-December have surpassed the four previous flu seasons for the same week, data from the Minnesota Department of Health shows. There were 167 Minnesota schools that reported new school outbreaks during the week ending in Dec. 21, up from 60 the week before, Altogether 287 schools have reported this flu season, and at least four of those schools included St. Cloud elementary schools, St. Cloud Area School District lead nurse Jessica Vos said.