Statehouse News Bureau

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Ohio Health Officials Say Flu Is 'Widespread'

By Jo Ingles

Published December 25, 2019 at 11:10 AM EST

The Christmas weather has been mostly mild this year but many Ohioans are still getting the chills. Public health leaders say the flu has hit the Buckeye State hard.

The Ohio Department of Health’s Melanie Amato says the flu season ramped up early this year. More than 400 Ohioans have been hospitalized so far.

“We have moved into 'widespread,' meaning there is flu in every corner of the state at this time," Amato says.

Amato says the flu will likely spread more easily during the holidays when people gather together to celebrate. She says the most prevalent strains this year are Influenza B and the H1N1 virus. Both are in the current flu shot, but she says it needs about two weeks to take effect.

Flu shots are available from your doctor, at many pharmacies or through your local health department. To find your local health department, check here: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/find-local-health-districts . Make sure to double check your local health department for details.