Flu season has now arrived; first Spokane case confirmed

The Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) has announced the season’s first local case of influenza A. A male in his 40s was laboratory confirmed to have influenza after being seen at a local outpatient clinic. This indicates flu is beginning to circulate in our community. In light of this, SRHD is reminding residents that getting a flu shot is the single best way for people to protect not only themselves against the flu, but their loved ones as well.

“This confirmed case provides an important opportunity for our community to rally around the importance of getting an annual flu shot,” said SRHD health officer Dr. Joel McCullough. “There is plenty of vaccine for anyone who wants to protect themselves from the flu.”

Local health care providers have vaccine available for Odessa’s town and rural residents.

It’s recommended that all people six months of age and older get immunized against flu. The vaccine promotes antibody protection within two weeks. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that from the 1976-1977 season to the 2006-2007 flu season, flu-associated deaths ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.

For more information about influenza and influenza vaccine visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu.