The North Dakota Division of Well being and Human Providers is encouraging everybody to get vaccinated in opposition to influenza earlier than Halloween.
“The influenza vaccine prevents thousands and thousands of diseases and flu-related physician’s visits every year and an annual vaccine is a crucial motion North Dakotans can take to guard themselves and their family members in opposition to flu viruses,” mentioned State Well being Officer Dr. Nizar Wehbi.
Influenza was accountable for over 200 hospitalizations and 39 deaths in North Dakota throughout the 2021-22 flu season, mentioned Levi Schlosser, epidemiologist with the Division of Well being and Human Providers.
In North Dakota, influenza circumstances sometimes start to extend within the fall and peak between January and March. Fifty-four circumstances of influenza have already been reported within the state for the 2022-23 season.
Influenza is a respiratory illness that mostly causes fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills and physique aches. Infants, younger kids, pregnant ladies, these over 65 or those that have persistent medical circumstances are at an elevated threat of great issues.
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Well being officers advocate everybody 6 months and older obtain the flu vaccine. When extra individuals are vaccinated, the virus spreads much less simply and far slower to those that are susceptible to critical issues.
Vaccine places may be discovered on-line at www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines.
Details about influenza may be discovered at www.hhs.nd.gov/flu.