(Spirit Lake)– If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, you’d better hurry.
Mary Dunleavy of Dickinson County Community Health says what could be a major flu epidemic is knocking on our door. She says more than 200 people were positively diagnosed with influenza in the Omaha area alone just last week. And Dunleavy says it’s just a matter of time before cases start showing up here.
Dunleavy says many local residents have been heeding warnings about the potential for a large outbreak of the flu this season. She says the demand for flu shots is up considerably from past years. As of right now Dunleavy says plenty of vaccine is still available. But she says it could start to dwindle if the demand picks up even more in upcoming days.
Dunleavy says the type “A” Panama strain that’s already been hitting some regions hard isn’t entirely covered by the vaccine. But she says having the shot will lessen the severity, and will greatly decrease your chances of getting other types of the flu.
If you think you’re getting sick Dunleavy says it’s very important to stay home, cover your mouth when you cough, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
She says thorough handwashing can go a long way in helping to prevent illness.
