Uptick in flu cases prompts Cole County officials to issue safety reminder

Missouri has seen nearly 50,000 cases of influenza A and influenza B in the 2018-2019 flu season.

The latest report from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said a total of 29 influenza-associated deaths have occurred for the week that ended March 10.

The latest flu cases reported in Cole County by age group are as follows:

Cole County’s communicable disease and epidemiology nurse coordinator Jaime Young said the flu is easily spread.

“It’s generally spread by droplet nuclei or close contact,” Young said. “Sneezing and coughing from an infected person can certainly transfer it to others around them.”

Health officials with the Cole County Health Department said the following measures can be taken to reduce the risk of infections:

Wash hands often Get a flu shot Limit contact with those infected Watch for early symptoms (cough, fever, nasal/chest congestion, body aches) Seek medical treatment early should symptoms present

Young said the youngest ages are seeing the highest rate of flu occurences in Cole County this season, but that each one is different.

More information on how to prevent the influenza virus can be viewed at the Centers for Disease Control’s website.

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