U.S. reports over 19,000 deaths from flu so far this season

LOS ANGELES, April 21 (Xinhua) -- There have been at least 26 million flu illnesses, 290,000 hospitalizations, and 19,000 deaths from flu so far this season in the United States, according to the latest data published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday.

A total of 143 pediatric flu deaths have been reported in the country so far this season, according to the CDC.

Nearly 2,000 people were hospitalized with flu in the latest week ending April 15, CDC data showed.

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine as long as flu activity continues.

There are also prescription flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat flu illness, which need to be started as early as possible, said the CDC.