...a nationwide anthrax scare, since the early symptoms of both are similar. But local physicians said it's simply an early flu season. Trottier said flu this year is infecting people of all ages, requiring emergency room staffs to operate at capacity...

...children have died, and some parts of the country are facing flu shot shortages and swamped hospitals. It is one of the earliest flu seasons in a quarter-century, but some flu outbreaks can peak as early as December, rather than February, which...