Lab-confirmed flu cases on Long Island more than doubled in a week, state figures show , the latest evidence that Nassau and Suffolk counties could face a rough influenza season.

Long Island is likely to see a "significant climb in the coming days and weeks" after holiday gatherings , said Dr. David Hirschwerk, medical director of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.

"Last year we started to see in our region a really steep incline toward the middle of December," he said, noting that flu cases and hospitalizations are "a little bit higher" than this time last year.

Infectious disease experts have warned flu season may be severe based on several factors, including the rise of a variant subclade K from the influenza strain H3N2. That variant emerged after this season’

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