| Flu cases have appeared widely in a number of states, including Virginia and Pennsylvania, but during the past weeks cases are surfacing in West Virginia.
At least three flu deaths have been reported in the Mountain State, all the H1N1 strain.P>
Dr. Rahul Gupta, executive director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, says cases have been certified in Kanawha County.
"That is typical for this time of year. We anticipate the flu to increase within the next few weeks. This makes it more important to get a flu shot as soon as possible, but it takes two weeks to develop immunity," said Dr. Gupta.
Flu is expected to peak in January and February.
The widespread cases are swine flu, or the H1N1 strain that spread so rapidly in 2009. The current flu vaccine covers the H1N1 strain along with others.
The public is encouraged to exercise general precautions.
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