Data suggests Delaware could see heightened flu season

The Delaware Division of Public Well being has deemed Oct. 2 as the beginning of flu season.

Officers are urging individuals to get vaccinated within the face of a probably heightened flu season.

DPH mentioned flu information from Southern Hemisphere international locations, similar to Australia and New Zealand, predict this 12 months’s flu season could possibly be extra energetic than earlier seasons.

DPH Epidemiologist Camille Moreno mentioned for the primary time the state is monitoring speedy flu assessments, in addition to lab assessments.

She mentioned it permits officers to trace the unfold of flu individually from COVID-19.

“We’re utilizing that to assist and to grasp higher which virus is circulating versus only a respiratory sickness with none sort of affirmation.”

This season’s flu shot covers 4 strains of influenza.

The vaccine is offered for anybody older than six months, however Moreno provides there’s a completely different vaccine formulated for individuals 65 that creates a stronger immune response.

She suggests these people ought to seek the advice of with their major care doctor about which shot is one of the best for them.

Final season, the state recorded greater than 2,700 flu circumstances in Delaware.