TULSA, OKLA – [February 15, 2024] – As influenza activity appears to reach peak levels, the Tulsa Health Department encourages residents to take steps to prevent the spread of illness.
“Frequent handwashing, covering your cough and sneezes, and staying home when you are sick will help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu, COVID-19 and RSV,” said THD Epidemiology Manager Jessica Rice. “Vaccinations are also encouraged to help prevent severe disease, hospitalization and even death.”
Symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
THD cautions parents not to send children to school who have fever and respiratory illness symptoms. Children with flu-like symptoms should be kept out of school until fever is gone for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-lowering medications.
Since 2003, THD has partnered with Hillcrest HealthCare System to educate the community about healthy lifestyle habits to prevent the spread of seasonal flu viruses and other communicable diseases, including COVID-19, through the annual “Don’t Bug Me” campaign. Visit hillcrestmedicalcenter.com/DontBugMe to view fun videos and download free printable resources like posters, coloring sheets and activity books.
Tulsa County residents are reminded to continue to take basic steps to curb the spread of illness, including:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home if you are sick.
Seasonal flu vaccines are recommended for everyone age six months and older, and are widely available at local pharmacies, health care providers, and at five THD locations throughout Tulsa County. Appointments are required and can be made online or by calling 918-582-9355.
Since Sept. 1, 2023, 457 Tulsa County residents have been hospitalized with influenza and 12 residents have died. Statewide, there have been 1,642 influenza-associated hospitalizations and 42 influenza deaths in the same timeframe.
Please visit tulsa-health.org/flu for more information about the flu, including flu vaccination clinic locations and the Tulsa County flu surveillance report which is updated weekly.
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