Flu still widespread in Oneida County

UTICA, N.Y. » The Oneida County Health Department is continuing to see high numbers of flu cases.

“Flu cases are beginning to drop, but active cases of the flu will circulate locally for many weeks ahead and transmission will continue to occur,” OCHD officials said in a press release.

While the flu vaccine can protect against several strains of flu, many cases caused this year is by the H3N2 strain, or influenza A. Flu vaccines are effective against influenza A approximately 25 percent of the time.

The OCHD reminds residents that is not too late to get a vaccine and that the flu vaccine can prevent people from getting sick or lessen the severity of the flu and prevent hospitalization.

“It generally takes two weeks for immunity to build after getting the flu vaccine,” OCHD officials said.

The OCHD advises that residents who are sick should stayhomefromwork or school to avoid spreading it to other people. If residents must go out into public, theOCHDadvises to cough or sneeze into your upper arm, use a tissue and then wash your hands or wear amedicalmaks.

People who are at high risk of serious flu complications and experiencing flulike symptopms should see a health care profession as soon as possible.

For more information, visit ocgov.net/health/flu. For questions, or to schedule an appointment for a flu shot, call the Oneida County Health Department at 315798-5747.