With widespread cases of flu being reported already in 47 states, health officials nationwide are keeping a wary eye eye on public health. Nursing homes in various pockets have reported cutting off or restricting access to visitors, with more expected to issue similar steps in the week ahead. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised that flu activity is expected to stay high for at least several more weeks, making this part of the calendar particular crucial for long-term care givers. ‘As always, vaccination efforts should continue as long as influenza viruses are circulating,” CDC officials advise in today’s edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The elderly are the typically the hardest hit group of individuals by the flu and flu complications.