All indications point to a nasty flu season. In the United States, officials are sounding the alarm as influenza diagnoses are rising sharply from coast to coast.

Infectious disease experts say the situation could get worse, with so many flu cases already being recorded. Researchers are also noting that this year’s flu vaccine appears to have only about a 10 per cent effectiveness but doctors still advise that zoomers get  the flu shot. According to Health Canada, southern Alberta and southern Ontario have been hit the hardest hit regions so far. The virus has already killed five people in the Calgary area.