Ten cases of flu have been identified in the past few weeks in San Luis Obispo County, and local health officials are encouraging residents to get vaccinated if they haven’t already done so.
The county’s public health laboratory has identified three different strains of influenza, according to a news release from the county Public Health Department. None of the people tested were inpatients at local hospitals.
“It is not too late to get vaccinated, and the vaccine this year is a strong match to circulating strains, offering the maximum available protection from flu,” county Health Officer Penny Borenstein said in the news release. “The Public Health Department still has flu vaccine available, and we encourage all eligible residents to get vaccinated.”
In early December, officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they had noticed an increase in flu activity, indicating the flu season was starting early.
Though each flu season varies, up to 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized because of the flu each year, and between 3,000 and 49,000 of those infected with the virus die, according to CDC.
Most people will recover within three to seven days; those at risk from complications include very young children, elderly, and those with underlying medical conditions.
Symptoms can include a fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue and coughing.
County residents interested in getting vaccinated through the Public Health Department should call 781-5500 to set up an appointment.
