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Flu cases in Va. drop from widespread to regional

Flu cases in Virginia have dropped from widespread levels for the first time in 13 weeks.
Credit: WVEC
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NORFOLK (AP) -- Flu cases in Virginia have dropped from widespread levels for the first time in 13 weeks.

Virginia Department of Health statistics show flu cases have fallen to regional levels.

Flu levels in most parts of the country dropped in late February.

A teen in northern Virginia was the only flu-related death in the state.

The flu season may seem long but it hasn't been as bad as 2009, the pandemic year of the H1N1 strain, when widespread levels appeared in May.

Deputy state epidemiologist Laurie Forlano tells The Virginian-Pilot that last year's flu season was particularly mild. Flu cases were at widespread levels for only three weeks and no children died of flu-related illness.

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Information from: The Virginian-Pilot, http://pilotonline.com

AP-WF-03-21-13 1643GMT

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