Still time to get vaccinated as flu season arrives

People who haven't received a flu vaccination should probably get one soon because sporadic cases of influenza are beginning to show up in the state, the Minnesota Department of Health said Thursday.

Four people have been hospitalized with flu in recent weeks and three K-12 schools have reported outbreaks of influenza-like illnesses.

There aren't enough cases yet to officially say the flu season has begun, but it should pick up in the next few weeks, Health Department epidemiologist Kris Ehresmann said. The flu is still at very low levels and many other viruses are circulating that resemble it, she added.

"We're monitoring the activity," she said. "There's been low levels of activity. This is a great time to get your flu shot if you haven't already taken advantage of that."

Last year 3,067 people in Minnesota were hospitalized with flu and 231 people died.