FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2007
CONTACT:
Several Schools in Nebraska Experiencing Flu Outbreaks
Leah Bucco-White, Communications and Legislative Services, 402-471-9356
Leah.buccowhite@dhhs.ne.gov(Note: Sound bites on this topic are available at: http://www.hhss.ne.gov/audio/)
Lincoln - What started out as a mild flu season is picking up steam fast, according to state health officials.
"We’ve gotten calls from several schools that have a lot of students out sick with the flu and some have chosen to close," said Dr. Tom Safranek, State Epidemiologist for the Nebraska Health and Human Services System. "Colfax, Dodge, Merrick and Nance counties are all experiencing an increase in school-related flu activity. It’s like we’ve gone from zero to 60 overnight."
Flu can spread fast in places where there are many people in shared quarters like schools. Besides the school outbreaks, surveillance shows flu activity is also on the rise throughout most of the state. Safranek said now is the time to take a few simple steps to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid contact with people who are sick
- Stay home from work, family gatherings and social functions if you’re sick
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough with a tissue or sleeve, not your hands
- Eat healthy and get plenty of rest
- Don’t smoke
Officials say anyone can still benefit from getting a flu shot. However, people in the following groups are at high risk for flu complications and should get vaccinated:
- All children between 6 months and 5 years old
- Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children between 6 months and 5 years old
- Adults 50 and older
- Pregnant women
- Health care providers
- People of any age with chronic medical conditions
- Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
- Children 6 months to 18 years old on long-term aspirin therapy
- People who live with or care for others susceptible to flu complications
FluMist, the live, nasal spray flu vaccine, is also an option for healthy people 5 to 49 years old.
If you’re interested in getting vaccinated, call your health care provider or your local health department and check on vaccine availability. For more flu information, go to www.hhss.ne.gov/flu.
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