According to a press release, since October 1, there have been 393 confirmed cases of influenza in Cayuga County – that’s compared to only 48 cases during the same time period previous year.
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Just one week later, the number of deaths more than doubled, soaring to 2,355 deaths.
In South Carolina, more than 3 times as many flu deaths have been reported as of week 2 in the 2017-2018 flu season than were reported at the same time last season.
There have been several reported deaths related to the flu in Alabama.
Dr. Brahim Ardolic, chairman of emergency medicine at Staten Island University Hospital, told CNN, “There’s no question that the people who got their flu shots this year got less sick than the people who don’t”.
Unlike human flu, canine influenza doesn’t follow a seasonal pattern; dogs can get sick and spread the virus year-round. “People in high-risk groups, including the elderly, children, those with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems and pregnant women, should take extra precautions and seek medical help if required”. In the most severe cases, the virus could develop into pneumonia.
Flu season can peak anytime between November and March each year, so things could finally be getting better.
“Flu can get worse very fast”, Campbell said.
Officials with the state’s Department for Public Health says this season’s strain of the flu virus can be extremely risky, and even deadly. The influenza vaccine provides no protection against the “stomach flu” because they are completely different bugs.
KILMARNOCK-Although cases of flu have been confirmed locally, health officials here do not consider it an epidemic.
Hellar believes its because people in our community are heeding the CDC advice of getting a flu shot, washing hands frequently, taking proper precautions and taking care of themselves.
According to the DPH, flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, chills, and fatigue.
“We think it will be a fairly busy clinic”, said the Director of Milford Public Health Deepa Joseph about the clinic they hosted Tuesday. The best way to prevent influenza is to get the flu shot and it’s not too late.
Official estimates from the CDC are expected at the end of the current season, based on a calculation from hospitals and states reporting data to the agency.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
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Dr. Sean Studer, deputy chief medical officer for the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, which also operates clinics across the five boroughs, said there is now no vaccine shortage.
