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OSDH Announces First Confirmed Cases of Flu in Oklahoma for the 2015-2016 Season

Thursday, October 15, 2015
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is reporting three laboratory-confirmed cases of flu in Oklahoma, all of which were influenza A H3. Two of the confirmed cases were from Tulsa County, including one hospitalization, and one case was from Oklahoma County.  According to the OSDH Sentinel Influenza Surveillance System, the percentage of influenza-like illness among outpatients indicates that influenza activity is elevated in Tulsa County. OSDH urges all Oklahomans to get an influenza immunization if they have not already done so.
An annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.  “If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to get your flu shot before influenza begins to spread more widely,” said Laurence Burnsed, MPH, OSDH epidemiologist. “Persons who have the flu can spread it to others even before they feel sick. The flu vaccine provides the best protection for the individual who receives it and reduces the chance of spreading the flu to persons who have not been vaccinated, including babies too young to receive a vaccination.”
Vaccination is especially important for those persons at high risk from flu complications including children less than five years of age and persons age 65 years and older.  Pregnant women should also receive a flu vaccination, as it not only protects the mother but also protects the baby for up to 6 months. Since influenza is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women and newborns, this protection is important. Flu vaccination is safe during pregnancy, after delivery, and for breastfeeding women.  Persons that are 50-64 years of age with underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung disease (asthma and COPD), diabetes (type 1 and 2), heart disease, neurologic conditions, other long-term health conditions are at increased risk of more severe influenza disease and hospitalization and should receive a flu vaccination.
In addition to getting your flu shot, the OSDH reminds you to follow these prevention tips:
                     ·         Frequent hand hygiene using soap and water, or alcohol-based products
                               such as hand gels when hands are not visibly soiled;
                     ·         Make “respiratory hygiene” a habit, including use of tissues to cover
                               coughs and sneezes, then disposing of them and performing hand
                               hygiene at once. When tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve, never your hands;
                      ·       Stay home from work, school, and  other public places when you are ill;
Visit www.health.ok.gov for more information about the flu and for weekly updates.
Last Modified on Jun 03, 2022
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