Flu Season is already hitting parts of the country hard, Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) is closely monitoring activity and you can too with Flu-View.
Mesa County Public Health has once again activated our flu-view on health.mesacounty.us. This gives our community a real-time way to monitor flu activity in Mesa County and the surrounding areas.
What’s new this year
- In addition to providing a meter showing hospitalizations for flu, a second meter has been added monitoring flu and flu-like illness activity at primary care offices throughout Mesa County.
- With activity already high in many parts of the country, this new data source will be a chance for MCPH, our health care provider partners, and the community, to monitor local activity.
- Also added is an influenza type tracker where you can see which type of influenza is impacting our region.
- So far this season, unlike the severe start in some other areas, Mesa County’s predominant strain is influenza A. However, in the last week, we have seen more positive tests for influenza B. This could be an indication of increased activity in the weeks to come.
- Influenza B can be more severe in young children. Vaccinating your children is the best protection against influenza. Caregivers and other adults around children should get a vaccine too.
- The flu vaccine protects against both influenza A and influenza B.
- It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine. Our clinic, located at 510 29 ½ Road, has vaccine available. Our clinic is open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, no appointment needed.
Things to know about influenza
- An annual flu vaccine is your best protection from influenza. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot. It can help shorten the severity and has been proven to lead to fewer hospitalizations.
- Children aged 6 months through 8 years require 2 doses of influenza vaccine during their first season of vaccination to enhance immune response.
- Flu can be dangerous for children. Complications from flu include pneumonia, dehydration, sinus problems, and ear infections. Complications can lead to death.
- The flu spreads mainly by droplets made when people with the virus cough, sneeze or talk. People with flu can spread it to others up to 6 feet away.
- With the recent gastrointestinal illness outbreak in Mesa County, it’s easy to be confused about the differences between influenza and norovirus.
- Influenza is a respiratory virus that affects mainly the lungs.
- Symptoms of the flu are; cough, sore throat, sudden onset of fever (up to 104 degrees). To read more about the differences between these viruses, click here.
Public health recommendations
- A flu shot is the first step to prevent influenza but you should also:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose.
- Clean your hands frequently, and use soap and water whenever possible.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Routinely clean frequently touched objects at work and home including doorknobs, keyboards, and phones to help remove germs.
- Stay home if you get sick. Germs spread easily at child care, school, and work, so it’s best to stay home when you’re not feeling well.