By MIKE STOBBE The holidays came with a side of flu for many Americans, with 40 states reporting high or very high levels of illness last week, according to the latest government health data. Related Articles National News | Have an extra $4 million? You could buy the ‘Breaking Bad’ house National News | Why Apple TV+ is offering a free weekend of binge-watching National News | The French Quarter’s metal barriers were gone on New Year’s, leaving a critical security gap National News | Soldier who died by suicide in Las Vegas told ex-girlfriend of pain and exhaustion after Afghanistan National News | Soldier who died in Las Vegas explosion left note saying it was to be a wakeup for country’s ills “A lot of flu out there,” said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Carrie Reed. Of course, there are a number of bugs that cause fever, cough, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms.