Dallas Co. Tops Nation For Flu Cases
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2003 8:41 am
DALLAS, Texas -- Dallas County now leads the country in flu cases, with more than 100,000 reported.
Three influenza cases have already been fatal, NBC 5 reported.
Children's Medical Center has treated half of the reported cases, and officials there warn the epidemic will likely get worse.
While older people and young children are the most vulnerable to influenza, doctors report that even healthy people are getting ill this year because the viruses are so serious.
In fact, a 16-year-old girl from Denison died Monday from the flu. Two children also died.
So far to date, the Dallas County Health Department has administered more than 17,000 flu shots.
"Influenza is a very manageable condition and [there is] no reason to have thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of cases because something very simple and effective and cheap can be done about it," Dr. David Buhner said.
However, despite preventative measures, officials said one of the flu strains this year isn't covered by the shots.
That means those who do get vaccinated could still be infected by that particular strain.
Three influenza cases have already been fatal, NBC 5 reported.
Children's Medical Center has treated half of the reported cases, and officials there warn the epidemic will likely get worse.
While older people and young children are the most vulnerable to influenza, doctors report that even healthy people are getting ill this year because the viruses are so serious.
In fact, a 16-year-old girl from Denison died Monday from the flu. Two children also died.
So far to date, the Dallas County Health Department has administered more than 17,000 flu shots.
"Influenza is a very manageable condition and [there is] no reason to have thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of cases because something very simple and effective and cheap can be done about it," Dr. David Buhner said.
However, despite preventative measures, officials said one of the flu strains this year isn't covered by the shots.
That means those who do get vaccinated could still be infected by that particular strain.