COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Health officials in South Carolina are reporting the first flu death of the season is in Barnwell County.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control said Wednesday that flu season has started earlier than usual. Widespread cases of the virus have been reported across the state, but the peak of flu season is still three months away in the heart of winter.

Health officials say there is still time to get a flu shot, but people should hurry because it takes two weeks to build to full immunity.

DHEC estimates 400,000 people in South Carolina will get the flu during this flu season.

Health officials did not release any additional details on the flu death.