Central Ohio influenza cases are significantly higher for this time of year as are flu-related hospitalizations. That's the word from Columbus Public Health officials. For the week that ended November 24th, there were 45 cases of hospitalizations compared to only four last year during the same time frame. Ohio is one of many states seeing an early increase in flu cases. Dr. Thomas Frieden directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Frieden says of this year's flu strains, about 90 percent are well-matched with this year's vaccine. And he says early data suggests vaccination rates for health care workers, children and pregnant women continue to increase. Still, he and central Ohio health officials are reminding people to get a flu shot. They note that flu season typically doesn't peak until February and can last into the month of May.
