The flu season never seems to take a year off and this year is no different. After five flu-related death in Teton County, Wyoming, health officials are urging people to get their flu shots.
Influenza cases have picked up across the state and in Teton County and more could be on the way, state and local health officials told jhnewsandguide.com.
"I would say we probably haven't hit the peak of it yet given the time of year," Teton County Public Health Officer Dr. Travis Riddell told jhnewsandguide.com. "I would expect it would get worse before it gets better."
The Wyoming state officials would not provide details on the one influenza-related death from Jackson Hole but did say it was the fifth such fatality this flu season in Wyoming.
That is a large number for this time of year, Wyoming Department of Health spokeswoman Kim Deti told to the news outlet. Last season there were 12 fatalities.
"We're definitely having an active, widespread flu season across the state," Deti said.
Health care providers said there is still time to get vaccinated. Shots are available at pharmacies and doctors' offices around the valley.
The flu is a virus-caused respiratory illness. Symptoms include headache, fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.
St. John's Medical Center officials said they are aware of the uptick in cases across the state and country.
"As we do every year we take flu season seriously," St. John's infection control nurse Emily Cooper wrote in an email.
"If any patients or visitors present with a cough or flu-like symptoms we have clearly marked Infection Prevention Stations located throughout the hospital and our clinics that provide masks and hand sanitizer," she said.
