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Death toll climbs as flu 'epidemic' rages across country

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    Jonathan Serrie reports from Atlanta

  • Duration 2:30
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Like -- some other news at this hour and this is a Fox News alert on this flu outbreak as the death toll climbs and one federal health agency starts calling this an epidemic.

Welcome back everybody I'm Megyn Kelly the Centers for Disease Control releasing its latest numbers on the flu today noting that twenty children have now died.

And 47 states are now dealing with widespread.

Flu activity up from 41 last week.

But there's a big -- in the CDC reporting those numbers do not tell the whole story.

In just the last 48 hours we've learned a flu is now killed 27 in Minnesota 22.

In Pennsylvania.

Eighteen in Massachusetts.

Eight in Oklahoma six in Illinois.

Several nursing home patients have died in new York and it's important to note that it is the elderly and infants and children to some -- who are considered the most vulnerable.

Jonathan Serrie is at the CDC in Atlanta with more Jonathan what -- the latest developments.

Hi Megan with a -- is because the state say individually report their statistical data so the latest report coming from.

A data about a week a -- 47 states reporting widespread flu activity.

But the CDC is balancing this with preliminary information.

That flu activity may actually be diminishing in some parts of the country especially here in the south where flu struck much earlier than usual but the data come.

From close to the holidays to CBS C officials warn the numbers may be somewhat skewed listen.

Lots of clinics are close lots of people don't go to the doctor are only go to the doctor when they're very sick and so we have to.

We have to think about that when we look at our data so I think in a week or two as we -- post holidays our data will.

Smooth out a little bit and we'll understand a little bit more about what's happening.

With reports of spotty shortages public health officials recommend you call your medical provider in advance.

To make sure there's vaccine knowing you may have to call around to several places one CBS minute clinic nurse tells us she's seen an increase in patients over the past couple weeks listen.

We're keeping up with the demands we certainly have seen a much higher.

Need for this year vs last year but we're doing our very best to keep all the clinics with all that age.

Appropriate flu vaccine doses available to -- population.

And today the CDC estimates -- this year seasonal flu vaccine is 62%.

Effective meaning.

If you've got the shot you are 62%.

Less likely to have to go to the doctor with flu like symptoms -- -- -- Jonathan thank you.

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