NORTH CAROLINA -- Two more people have died as a result of the flu this season in North Carolina.

The Department of Health and Human Services made the announcement Thursday. This brings the total number of deaths this flu season to eight. 

Several others died from the flu before the flu season officially began. During last year's flu season, nearly 400 deaths were reported in North Carolina.

It was the highest death toll in a flu season since it became a requirement to report adult flu deaths. Of those deaths, nearly 300 were 65 and older. Seven were under 18.