Flu season ramps up; some Nevada deaths reported

Flu season is ramping up in Nevada and at least eight deaths have been reported.

Health officials around the state say they are seeing an increase in influenza cases. The National Centers of Disease Control lists the level of flu activity in Nevada as high.

Five people have died in Washoe County while the Southern Nevada Health District reports three deaths in Clark County.

The most predominant strain is the H1N1 virus, known as the swine flu that reached the pandemic level in 2009.

At the Washoe County School District, officials are preparing for the return of students on Monday after a three-week winter break.

Parents will be sent telephone messages on Saturday urging them to keep children home if they are sick to prevent the spread of the virus.