(MCT) — BLOOMINGTON — Flu season is off to an early start — including one influenza-related death in McLean County — and health officials want everyone to take steps to avoid exchanging germs with holiday greetings.

“We’re seeing an increase in influenza and influenza-like illnesses,” said Walt Howe, director of the McLean County Health Department. Hospital emer-gency departments and doctors’ offices are reporting more patients with influenza-like illnesses and schools are reporting an increase in student absences because of illness, Howe said.