State health department says this Arizona flu season not as bad as last
Dec 18, 2018, 4:55 AM
(Pixabay Photo)
(Pixabay Photo)
Arizona may not have as bad of a flu season as last year’s.
A total of 809 flu cases have been reported to the Arizona Department of Health Services so far this season, with 277 reported in the last week.
During this time last year, there were 1,865 flu cases reported.
“It is less than what we saw last year,” Eugene Livar, Arizona Department of Health Services spokesman, said.
“But it is slightly more than what we see for our five-year season average, so it’s definitely something that we want to keep an eye on and continue to monitor.”
The five-year season average is 540 flu cases.
This year’s flu season began Sept. 30, and it’s expected to end sometime between March and May.
Livar said it’s difficult to point to one factor leading to fewer flu cases compared to last year.
“The only predictable thing about the flu season is that it is very unpredictable,” he said.
“Severity varies due to circulating strains, vaccine effectiveness and the number of people who get vaccinated.”
He said washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home if you’re sick are among the steps to take to avoid getting and spreading the flu.
“Also, the best thing you can do is to go ahead and get your flu vaccine,” he said, adding that it’s not too late to get the vaccine.
