Thursday's Wake Up Call! Flu begins to spread across the U.S. -  - GHS Newsroom

Thursday's Wake Up Call! Flu begins to spread across the U.S.

Print Comment
School Flu
Influenza season is kicking in late.

A mild winter has kept the spread of influenza at bay, with fewer people cooped up inside spreading the contagion. But influenza is on the rise across the U.S., and health officials say it's not too late to get a vaccination - but you should hurry.

From The Weather Channel: "America is experiencing the slowest start to flu season in three decades, according to a new government report. But if you thought you were going to escape the year without the flu, you may be wrong. The national flu map is beginning to light up like a Christmas tree. ... 'This is the mildest cold and flu season that I've seen in the last few years, particularly flu,' " says Dr. Cliff Bassett, Medical Director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York.

And from the Los Angeles Times: "In general, Americans have had a mild flu season this year.  But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its weekly FluView Surveillance Report that, for the first time this season, more than 10% of respiratory specimens collected in the U.S. tested positive for the flu -- 10.5%, versus 7.6% the prior week.  According to the CDC, surpassing 10% is considered an indication that 'flu season is beginning.' "

Some ideas:

  • Use the CDC's flu vaccine finder to publish a list and online map of all local vaccine clinics.
  • Talk with local school nurses and principals. How has attendance been this year compared to past? Are they beginning to see signs of the flu in their schools? What are their guidelines for keep children at home?
  • Talk with local hospitals and medical practices. Are they seeing an increase?
  • Run a sidebar using CDC guidelines on how to prevent the spread of the flu.

 

 

Loading commenting interface...




Editing Words blog

Posted May 17, 2013 @ 07:00 AM

AP style tips on hurricane names and terms

Posted May 10, 2013 @ 10:37 AM

Editing tips for spring and summer words

Posted Apr 26, 2013 @ 07:00 AM

AP Style on Kentucky Derby

Posted Apr 12, 2013 @ 07:00 AM

AP Style update: Underway is now always one word

Posted Mar 29, 2013 @ 07:00 AM

AP updates homicide, murder, weapons definitions

Posted Mar 15, 2013 @ 08:00 AM

AP Style on NCAA tournament words

Posted Mar 08, 2013 @ 08:00 AM

AP defines 'mental illness'

Posted Feb 15, 2013 @ 08:00 AM

AP Style on Hollywood awards


Newsroom Handbook
Culture Cube
News Cube
Web Cube
Reader Callouts