For week 46, Arkansas reported “local” activity to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for geographic spread of influenza, and “high” or 8 out of 10 in intensity.
Over the last week, the average school absenteeism rate was 6.7 percent among public schools. To date, 3 influenza-related deaths have been reported in Arkansas this flu season. CDC has reported a total of three pediatric deaths nationwide. To date, no nursing homes in Arkansas have reported influenza outbreaks.
The flu, a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, the best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
The ADH recommends the flu vaccination for children, the elderly, health care workers and others prone to getting the flu. “Flu vaccine helps your body fight the flu during the height of the flu season, which is generally December through March. cFlu vaccine is available through your local health unit.”
2019-2020 Flu Season
- For more information about Mass Flu Clinics, click here.
- For more information and dates on the ADH Public School Flu Clinics, click here.
Key Facts about Seasonal Flu Vaccine
- Seasonal flu is a disease that causes mild to severe illness and is easily spread. Each year in the United States, 25-50 million infections are reported, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 23,600 die due to seasonal flu.
- The seasonal flu virus is spread through coughing or sneezing and by touching a hard surface with the virus on it and then touching your nose or mouth.
- Flu vaccine will not give you the flu! The shot is a vaccine that helps protect you against the seasonal flu virus.
- The best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine each year. The vaccine takes one to two weeks to start working. Vaccination has been shown to have many benefits including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death in children.
The Importance of Seasonal Flu Vaccine
- Children can catch the flu more often than adults but they usually aren’t as sick. Parents should keep their sick children at home so they do not spread the flu to others.
- For older adults and others who are at risk of complications, flu vaccine can reduce hospitalizations by as much as 70 percent and deaths by 85 percent.
- The best way to protect yourself, your family.
Last year, several area schools closed their doors to clean and disinfect the buildings during the height of flu season. ADH officials encourage frequent hand washing, and keeping sick children at home to help prevent it’s spead.
