In just one week, The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District reported an almost 208 percent increase in the number of flu cases.
City of Waco officials said from December 8 to December 15 the county went from 338 cases reported to over 1000 cases reported, including reports of Type A, B and Influenza-like illness from healthcare providers and schools.
Flu season usually does not peak until January or February, but in the last month, McLennan County went from 204 cases reported to 1041.
The Heath District is recommending anyone with flu symptoms, including fever, avoid contact with others. Symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills and muscle aches.
Those who have a high-risk include:
- Persons aged 65 and older
- Residents of long-term care facilities
- Persons aged 2-64 with chronic health conditions
- Children aged 6-23 months
- Pregnant women
- Health-care personnel who provide direct patient care
- Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children aged less than 6 months
The flu vaccine is approved for children 6-months-old and older, including pregnant women.
Copyright 2017 KXXV. All rights reserved.
