Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The flu season is under way across the country, and local health officials report continued increases in numbers of influenza cases across South Dakota. Information released from the State Department of Health shows that seasonal influenza activity remains at a widespread level, with the number of cases of Influenza A continuing to show a steady increase. In the past week, the state has seen a doubling in the number of flu-associated hospitalizations and a quadrupling of the number of flu-related deaths.
With a large portion of the flu season still ahead, local public health officials are urging people to practice good respiratory hygiene and get their flu shots.
“Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to prevent the flu,” said Dr. Jennifer Tinguely, Chief Medical Officer for Falls Community Health and the City of Sioux Falls Health Department. “Even though this year’s flu vaccine may not be as effective because of mutations in some flu viruses, I cannot emphasize enough that it’s still very important to get vaccinated.”
While vaccination provides the greatest protection against the flu, other effective ways to avoid getting or spreading it include washing hands frequently or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer; covering coughs and sneezes with tissues, or coughing or sneezing into elbows; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and staying home when sick and until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone, but some people are at particularly high risk and should be sure to be vaccinated. This includes people over age 50, pregnant women, those with chronic medical conditions, health care workers, and household contacts of high-risk populations, especially those with young infants.
Vaccine is available at Falls Community Health. To schedule an appointment for a flu shot, please call 367-8793. Additional information about the flu can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu