An influenza-associated pediatric death was reported in N.Y. during the week ended Jan. 18, according to the state health department. This was the only influenza-associated pediatric death of the flu season in NYS so far.
There were 2,787 laboratory-confirmed influenza reports; nearly every county in the state had lab-confirmed cases. This marks a 31 percent increase over the prior week, when only 2,126 cases were reported.
The flu was reported as geographically widespread in 60 of New York’s 61 counties. Nationwide, all 50 states reported regional or widespread influenza activity last week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most people with the flu report about 1-2 weeks recovery time, according to the US government flu resource, flu.gov. It is possible for those with the flu to infect others one day before symptoms develop and five to seven days after symptoms appear.
Health officials recommend vaccination against influenza for all people six months of age and older. The 2013-2014 flu vaccine is available in Riverhead at Kmart, CVS, Target and Walgreens according to flu.gov’s vaccine finder.
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