State's First Flu Cases Reported

The Oklahoma State Department of Health Acute Disease Service announced the first lab-confirmed cases of flu in the state today. One case is in Oklahoma County, a child under the age of five, and one case is in Tulsa County, a child also under the age of 5. One child is hospitalized, one is not. The health department is recommending the annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older. The vaccinations are especially important for those at a high risk from flu complications, including persons age 65 and older and children less than 2 years of age. Persons age 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions such as a chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD, with diabetes (type 1 or 2), heart disease, neurological conditions, other long-term health conditions are at increased risk of more severe influenza disease and hospitalization. The health department also offers the following tips:

*Perform frequent hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol-based products such as hand gels;

*Make respiratory hygiene a habit by using tissues to cover coughs and sneezes, then disposing of them and washing hands at once, or, when tissues are unavailable, use your sleeve, never your hands;

*Stay home from work, school and other public places if ill.

Visit the health department's web site at www.health.ok.gov for more information.

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