Influenza

notI'm getting over a mild influenza infection but the headlines from the US are screaming about a terrible flu season.

So is it an epidemic? yes, but it's an ordinary outbreak, and the death rate is not much higher than the average year.
GMA reports it is only slightly above the "epidemic threshold"...and the bad news is that the flu shot only 60 percent effective.
Nor is it an "epidemic" but a lot of different types of flu in different areas (whereas epidemics tend to be brand new or new recycled versions and most cases are from the new version).

CDC report:

and the good news: Although Amantidine doesn't work, a lot of other antivirals work.