Flu season is here in Florida, taking two lives already

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is urging residents to take precautions amid recent increases in flu-like illnesses in several areas of the state.

Influenza can spread easily due to symptoms often being confused with the common cold.

Public health officials say the vaccine is the best way to prevent getting sick, but also encourage frequent hand-washing and other preventive hygiene measures.

That includes, he said, a spike in emergency room visits for people exhibiting flu-like symptoms over the last few weeks and a corresponding uptick in the sale of over-the-counter cough and cold medicine.

Maryland is one of 19 states where the flu is widespread according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For first time this flu season, influenza-like illness is now widespread throughout Ohio. Most insurances cover the full cost of the flu shot.

“There are no flu vaccine shortages across OH”, said Sietske de Fijter, chief of the Bureau of Infectious Diseases for the department.

It is easy, according to Coe, for elderly individuals who get the flu to have the virus develop into pneumonia. Last year, the season started late and flu-associated hospitalizations did not peak until March. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccination.

The child was younger than 10 years old, according to health department spokesman Steve Metcalf. Vaccines may also be available at physician offices, clinics, pharmacies, and at special flu vaccination events promoted in retail stores.

He asked families to get vaccinated against flu. Walker said. “It’s not too late to get vaccinated”.

He said there is medication that could be taken for the flu.

For more information about influenza and flu activity in OH, click the “More Information” link on this page.

In terms of numbers of people contracting the disease, Clark County Public Health Director Alan Melnick said the numbers were “high”, elaborating that getting exact numbers was hard compared to other communicable diseases like measles.