Fighting The Flu In The New Year

The flu related death of a northeastern North Dakota woman is the state’s first of the season. With temperatures dropping the number of cases may rise and that may lead to even more health concerns.

North Dakota’s battle against the flu virus is raging on, but it isn’t causing some to change their health routines.

Francine Gilmore says, “My husband gets the flu shot every year. He gets one because of his job he’s exposed to a lot of sick people and I may be a spoiled brat but I never get sick so I think i don’t have to get one.”

Gilmore may have luck on her side, but that doesn’t mean she and her family aren’t taking necessary steps to be safe.

“We are both extreme hand washers. Particularly my husband he washes his hands all the time and I try to be really good about that too and I think that makes a really big difference.”

Desi Fleming of Fargo Cass Public Health says, “Especially around the holidays people tend to congregate together. There’s no school so there’s a large quantity of people in smaller areas.”

Statistically the number of people getting the flu shot is still around average. And even though there’s some complications with this particular strain these season, officials say that getting the shot is still the best way to protect yourself.

“Even if it’s not providing the exact coverage, it may give people some coverage against some of the more serious complications.” Fleming said.

Be cautious, because the real fight against the flu is only just getting started.

Around 19–hundred North Dakotans have contracted the flu virus this season. That’s almost double the number from last year.