WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- American disease control authorities said Friday the flu spread showed early signs to be "severe" this winter.

Dan Jernigan, Director of Influenza Division of National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a press briefing that the entire American continent is seeing "widespread activity."

Jernigan said it was "starting early and probably peaking right now," and the severity of it resembled those in 2012 to 2013 and 2014 to 2015 seasons when H3 strains ran amok, resulting in more cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

According to Jernigan, there are 22.7 people in 100,000 people put into hospital in the United States this week, a majority of which aged above 50. Also, seven more flu-associated pediatric deaths are reported.