Here’s a look at health and environmental news from around South Carolina.

Flu activity has picked up in recent weeks

The peak flu season is still weeks away, but South Carolina is reporting widespread flu activity for the third straight week.

Area hospitals are seeing more flu patients this season compared to last year.

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System spokeswoman Jessica Pickens said for October through December, the total number of flu-related visits to its hospitals in Spartanburg, Pelham and Union has doubled compared to the same period in 2016.

Local Mining Company Seeking To Expand In Huger

DONMAR Sand Mining, LLC, located in Huger, S.C., is currently seeking a “Special Exception” through the Berkeley County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) in hopes of increasing their mining facility from 5-acres and 20-feet deep to 32-acres and 30-feet deep.

The plans, which outline an increase of the mine to six times its current size, were deferred at the BZA meeting on Dec. 19 and will be seen by the board for the third time on Jan. 16 at the County Council Assembly Room, located at 1003 Hwy. 52 in Moncks Corner, where the final vote on the request will be made.

These are the states where infant mortality is highest

(CNN)There’s good and bad news when it comes to infant mortality in the United States.

Infant mortality, or the death of a baby before his or her 1st birthday, has declined in recent years across the nation and around the world.

Yet disparities persist across states, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s National Center for Health Statistics on Thursday.