The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most flu reports this fall have come from metro Atlanta, but cases have been reported in other parts of the state as well.
A 63-year-old woman died after contracting the flu in November, Georgia public health officials said. Overall, they say, school-age children are getting sick the most.
Georgia doesn't estimate the number of its flu cases. But the CDC says Georgia is definitely seeing more reports than other states.
"Georgia is seeing a much higher percentage of viruses positive for flu than we're seeing at the national level," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said Friday.
Unlike this time last year, when the U.S. was being hit hard by the H1N1 pandemic, this season seems to be dominated by a more common flu strain.
"This is a much more typical flu year," said Dr. Cherie Drenzek, director of acute disease epidemiology at the state public health office.
Georgia health officials track the flu by monitoring 77 health providers statewide, who report the percentage of patients seeking treatment for fever, cough or a sore throat.
They also get specimens from those doctors to determine whether flu is present and which strains are prevalent.
"It's really a good time to get vaccinated if you haven't already done so," Schuchat said.
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