SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- We are getting closer to a new year which
means the actual flu season is right around the corner.  The
peak of flu season is January or February.  But this year, the
illness has made an earlier appearance -.  One that is spreading
fast and making many sick.  Health officials in Greene County
say the number of confirmed flu cases they have are the numbers
they usually see in mid to late February.   In just two weeks,
the number of confirmed influenza cases in Greene County jumped
80-percent.  And just last week in Marshfield, the school
district almost canceled class due to the number of kids out
sick with the flu. 300 kids were out sick, dropping the
enrollment numbers down 10-percent.  The flu is passed very
easily person to person in crowded areas, such as schools.  But
even though school won't be back in session for another week or
so, health officials in the Ozarks Community Hospital say the
hustle and bustle of this time of year means one thing.  If you
feel sick, stay at home because