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Health Department announces first flu case of season

CG Health at Mohawk Square

(Mason City) — The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health has confirmed a positive case of influenza (flu) in our county. With this recent case, Disease Prevention and Investigation Specialists at the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health are recommending individuals to still get a flu shot.

“Flu activity in Iowa changed to widespread this past week,” state Karen Crimmings, Disease Prevention and Investigation Service Manager, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “We have lab-confirmed influenza identified in Cerro Gordo County. It’s not too late to protect yourself from the virus by getting vaccinated.”

Protecting yourself against influenza not only benefits your overall health; it also helps protect you from transmitting the virus to your loved ones. Now more than ever, it is imperative to receive your flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that each year more than 36,000 individuals die from the flu and over a quarter of a million individuals are hospitalized.

Symptoms of the flu include fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.

Officials with the Health Department urge you to prevent the spread of the flu by the practicing the following good health tips:

  • Wash your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
  • Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

The Health Department has flu vaccine including the shot and mist still available. Our Immunization Clinic is open Monday-Friday from 10:00 – Noon and 12:30 – 4:00 PM.  The Health Department accepts most major health insurances.

For more information about flu, flu prevention or the flu vaccine, please call 641-421-9321 or visit our website at www.cghealth.com.

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