THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL SAYS FLU ACTIVITY IS "HIGH" TO "EXTREMELY HIGH" IN MORE THAN A DOZEN REGIONS AROUND THE UNITED STATES – INCLUDING HERE IN OHIO!
A NEW REPORT MEASURES FLU ACTIVITY THROUGH THE LAST WEEK IN JANUARY.
KIM HUTCHERSON HAS DETAILS.
(nats) THE C-D-C SAYS 51 OUT OF 54 STATES AND TERRITORIES ARE EXPERIENCING ELEVATED LEVELS OF FLU AND FLU-LIKE ILLNESSES. A RECENT C-D-C REPORT FINDS THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 31-THOUSAND CONFIRMED CASES OF INFLUENZA THIS SEASON. THE VIRUS HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH 15 PEDIATRIC DEATHS -- SEVEN OF THOSE REPORTED IN THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 28-TH ALONE THE VAST MAJORITY OF FLU CASES THIS SEASON-- OVER 87-PERCENT -- HAVE BEEN CAUSED INFLUENZA-A. AND THE VIRUS IS STILL SPREADING IN 40 STATES AND PUERTO RICO. TYPICALLY, THE U-S FLU SEASON BEGINS IN OCTOBER, PEAKS BETWEEN DECEMBER AND MARCH... THEN SLOWS THROUGH SPRING. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE A FEVER OR CHILLS, HEADACHE, SORENESS AND A FEELING OF LETHARGY OR FATIGUE. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GET THE FLU VACCINE - AND THAT VACCINATION IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FOR SELF-PROTECTION, BUT TO KEEP OTHERS FROM CONTRACTING THE VIRUS, AS WELL.
NOW THAT YOU HEARD THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT THE FLU OUTBREAK – TELL US: DID YOU GET THE FLU THIS YEAR? YOU CAN ANSWER YES OR NO BY GOING TO OUR WEBSITE AND CLICKING THE POLL BUTTON!
AND WHILE WE’RE TALKING HEALTH, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT LAST WEEK’S POLL! WE ASKED: HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK DO YOU DRINK SODA OR FRUIT JUICE? AND WE HAD A CLEAR WINNER: 47 PERCENT OF YOU SAID YOU DRINK THESE SUGARY DRINKS 1-2 TIMES A WEEK. SOUNDS LIKE MODERATION TO ME!
STAYING HOME FROM SCHOOL – WHETHER YOU’RE SICK OR SNOWED IN – MIGHT SOUND KIND OF NICE, BUT IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT EDUCATION IS SO VERY IMPORTANT
Instructional Links
Website: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FluView Interactive | Weekly flu activity shown in maps and charts.