Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 3:24pm
Flu cases on the rise in Del.
Delaware is seeing an early surge of flu cases.
The state has logged 441 cases so far this season. Last year at this time, there were three.
"This just represents the tip of the iceberg, because we don't test every single person," Division of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Awe Maduka-Ezeh tells WDEL News.
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There haven't been any deaths to date, but the bug is considered to be "widespread" - especially among kids 4 and under.
Dr. Maduka-Ezeh says the increase in flu cases is causing problems.
"At this point, our local hospitals are actually being stretched because so many people are getting sick from influenza and other influenza-like diseases. So it's very, very important that everyone gets out and gets a flu shot," she says.
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The good news is the vaccine has been very effective; so everyone older than 6 months is strongly encouraged to get a flu shot.
Copyright © May 20, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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