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Flu in Florida: 8 fast facts you need to know

1. Only one Florida county has been spared from the flu.

The Florida Department of Health says that flu activity is historically higher than ever. In just one week, there were 82 reported flu outbreaks in the state of Florida. Locally, in Duval County and St. Johns County, five or more flu outbreaks were reported-- in Putnam County, there three to four outbreaks reported. The only county in the state that has zero activity of the flu outbreak is Desoto county, The Florida Department of Health says.

2. Putnam county is one of six counties listed as "elevated" flu activity.

The other five are Palm Beach in South Florida and the small Panhandle counties of Holmes, Washington, Gilchrist and Suwannee.

 Related: CDC: Child flu deaths could reach record high

3. Children play a huge factor in the spread of the flu.

Majority of all flu outbreaks that were reported in Florida occurred in day cares, schools and camps. The flu has killed five children in the state.

4. The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent Influenza infection and other complications.

The state says a recent study showed that the flu vaccination can reduce a child’s likelihood of dying from influenza by 50 to 60 percent.

More Jacksonville flu stories: Jacksonville-area day care working to shut out the flu

5. One Florida flu nurse went on a flu rant-- and it went viral.

As flu season ramps up, Florida nurse, Katherine Lockler, had a message for potential visitors to the emergency room: If it’s not an emergency, don’t show up. "The biggest problem for me was seeing people come in to visit and not only being exposed to this awful flu virus, but not taking the correct precautions to get themselves disinfected," said Lockler.

Story: Florida nurse's video rant about difficult flu season goes viral

6. The flu virus spreads easily through coughing and sneezing.

New research shows that the flu virus spreads more easily than previously thought. In 2014, MIT used high-speed imaging to study how far cough and sneeze droplets can spread germs.

7. The flu can be transmitted just by breathing, according to the CDC.
The University of Maryland is using the a machine named the Gesundheit II, which is used to collect and analyze the flu virus in an exhaled breath.

8. The flu virus spreads easily through coughing and sneezing.

New research shows that the flu virus spreads more easily than previously thought. In 2014, MIT used high-speed imaging to study how far cough and sneeze droplets can spread germs.