Early and strong, this year's flu season is under way with a vengeance. If you have not been vaccinated it's not too late if you don't yet have the flu. But the longer you wait, the better chance you have of contracting the virus before the shots can help to ward off the disease. The heavy 2014 flu season is already affecting the entire nation, with only ten states reporting anything less than widespread infection rates. As is usually the case, several strains of influenza are afflicting victims, with the avian flu, H1N1, being the most predominant variety found. This is the latest strain of "bird flu" that became an international pandemic in 2009. Ten influenza-related pediatric deaths were already reported in only the second week of the 2014 flu season, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). All ten national health regions were already reporting outpatient treatments of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) at levels above the national baseline averages. As always, your best protections include frequent hand washing, covering your coughs with a sleeve (not your hand), and getting vaccinated as early as possible. Your best insurance against flu is the combination of cleanliness and a vaccine. The best insurance against financial losses and other asset protection services can be found at Weeks & Associates Insurance Services, serving the Greater Los Angeles area and beyond. Contact us today for a quote.