Flu cases on rise in Arizona, across country

TUCSON, Ariz. – (KVOA) It may be that time of year but this year the flu is spreading particularly fast

Dr. Sudha Nagalingam with El Rio Health is very busy.

“This year, according to ADHS, we’re seeing a 37% increase in flu over the last two weeks compared to this time last year,” Nagalingam, an infectious disease internist, said.

Dr. Andrew Saal is the Assistant Medical Director at the Pima County Health Department.

He tells News 4 Tucson the numbers were especially high at the end of last month.

“The 2024-2025 flu season is the worst we’ve seen in about 20 years,” Saal said.

“Here in Pima County, this spiked starting in December, it spiked very, very high in January. Nearly nine percent of all ER visits was for someone with Flu an respiratory like symptoms. It’s now dropped down just a little bit, it’s running at about five percent in Pima County.”

See more at KVOA.com