Oswego County flu deaths confirmed

Between 600,000 and 2.4 million state residents will get the flu this year, and 120 to 2,000 will die of complications from the virus, the Health Department said.

The latest weekly numbers of the number of flu cases in Monroe show another death, and an increase in the number of confirmed cases overall.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the number of flu-related deaths in Arkansas is now up to 125 according to the state Department of Health. Last week’s number was up from 6.6 percent the week before and was higher than all but two other seasons in the past 15 years.

Because of the severity of this flu season, doctors have been sharing their knowledge and expertise on how to prevent colds and the flu. “One of the worldwide pandemics of the flu”.

She said even though it takes 10 to 14 days to build immunity after getting the vaccine, people getting the flu shot now will have protection for the last few weeks of the flu season.

Because influenza and pneumonia frequently occur together during the flu season, both illnesses are reported on KDHE death certificates.

There have been 91 deaths statewide so far this season.

Communities across Washington also are feeling the effects of a tough flu season. Patients with mesothelioma are on average around 72-years-old making them in the vulnerable group for this potentially serious condition.

While Student Health saw 30 patients for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in 2016-2017, doctors have seen 85 total patients for ILI in 2017-2018 so far.

At Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Manager of Infection Prevention Gloria Powers says during the last flu season, 64 rapid flu tests were administered during the first two weeks of January.

The influenza outbreak continues to worsen in our state.

The flu vaccine is recommended for most people.

The flu is a virus that is contagious. “Often times in rural areas people are sicker, especially with chronic illnesses that may or may not be attended to”, Dr. Castellaw said. At this time previous year, less than 8 percent of visits were connected to an influenza-like illness.

The symptoms of influenza, which tend to come on suddenly, may include fever, chills, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.