Health officials have reported the effect of influenza on Arizona for eighth consecutive week. Since December, Arizona's flu activity has been widespread and this season the virus has spread in the state earlier than a typical year.

Health officials say that the first case of the flu was reported in September and is expected to last longer.

Dr. Karen Lewis, Medical Director for the Immunization Program at the Arizona Department of Health Services says that influenza is expected to stay for another four to eight weeks in Arizona.

This season has witnessed a total of 5,115 laboratory confirmed influenza cases including more than 2,000 from Maricopa County.

Three children have died due to influenza and 851 cases were confirmed last week. A dramatic rise in the number of cases has been reported in the past two weeks.

The hospitals and offices of the doctors have been stuffed with miserable kids, coughing toddlers and infants struggling to breathe. Absence rate of more than 10% was reported in many schools. Infants and toddlers are more prone to the flu because they are unable to clear mucous from their nasal passages and airways, which inhibits breathing.