Harsh Flu Season Has Health Officials Worried

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials are trying to tell if this year’s harsh flu season led to an increase in a rare but dangerous brain complication in children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 19,000 people have died from the flu so far this winter including 86 children. The CDC says at least nine of those children experienced brain complications and has asked state health departments to help investigate if there are more. Experts say it’s not too late to get vaccinated, and CDC found this year’s shot do lower the risk of being hospitalized for the flu.