With the first flu-related death this season reported in the state, residents might want to be thinking more seriously about getting their flu shots if they haven’t already.
    The death was an adult over 65 years of age in the area covered by the Southeast District Health Department (Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee and Richardson Counties).  
    Rhonda Sargent, manager at the Chase County Clinic, said there have been no officially confirmed influenza cases treated there.
    However, that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t get vaccinated.
    She said the Chase County Clinic has plenty of the three flu shots on hand this season for pediatric age (six to 35 months), general (age three to 64) and high dose (65 and older).
    No appointments are necessary for the shots at the Imperial and Wauneta clinics, Sargent said.
    In Imperial, the clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday. The Wauneta clinic is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
    Symptoms of this season’s flu, Sargent noted, include fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache and runny/stuffy nose.
    While those may seem the same as some cold symptoms, the difference is that the flu strikes very fast, Sargent said.
    All health professionals believe being proactive by getting a flu shot now is the best defense.    

Fifty-eight flu deaths in 2016
    “Sadly an influenza-related death underscores the potential seriousness of the disease and the importance of vaccination to reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization and death,” said Dr. Tom Safranek, State Epidemiologist for DHHS.    
    Last season, there were 58 flu-related deaths in Nebraska including two children.
    Flu is currently circulating at very low levels in the state, Safranek said. One of the best ways to protect yourself, he said, is by rolling up your sleeve and getting a flu shot.

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