State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said reports from around the state indicate that influenza season has arrived in Alabama but that the numbers indicate a low-level outbreak.

Harris told the State Committee of Public Health on Thursday that the number ER visits by patients with flu-like symptoms has cleared the 3% threshold that represents a flu outbreak.

He said north Alabama and Jefferson County are seeing the most illness but he expects that to change.

“Overall, the state as a whole, we’ve reached that threshold,” Harris said. “So, it’s coming this way, like it does every year.”

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports the numbers on its respiratory illness dashboard.

Harris said that, for now, it appears that this will be a normal flu season.

He said there were fewer cases of influenza in 2020 and 2021 because the precautions in place for the COVID pandemic helped stop the spread of respiratory viruses.

A year ago, Alabama had a high-level of flu outbreak, with flu-like illnesses accounting for 6.5% of ER visits.

So far this year, the level of flu outbreak in Alabama is similar to what most other states are experiencing, Harris said.

A map by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed a moderate level of outbreak in Alabama as of the week ending Nov. 30.

“The best thing you can do is get your influenza vaccination updated. This season the flu vaccine is approved for anyone six months or older,” Harris said.

“Secondly, please stay home if you’re sick unless you’re seeking medical care. We’d like you to be careful about spreading it to other people, and that’s especially vulnerable people. Older people, pregnant women, small children, they’re particularly vulnerable to influenza. So, let’s be aware of that.”