Flu activity rising in Grant Co.

GRANT COUNTY — Grant County Health District officials have issued an advisory recommending people take precautions against influenza following reports of increasing influenza activity in the county.

“(The health district) currently is monitoring an influenza outbreak among residents in an assisted living facility,” read a statement from the GCHD. “Communicable disease investigators are reporting an increased number of influenza cases among school-aged children, as well as children under the age of 5.”

Cases of the flu and influenza-like illnesses are on the rise in Grant County and across the state, according to the press release.

Health district officials are encouraging people six months of age and older to get a flu vaccination.

People with the flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after the illness begins, according to the statement. Healthy adults can spread the disease one day before symptoms appear and up to five days after symptoms begin.

Flu can lead to increased risk for hospitalization for people with underlying health conditions like heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, asthma or who are more than 65 years of age. Pregnant women are at risk for flu complications, and flu shots are recommended at any stage of pregnancy. The flu shot also protects the baby for up to six months after birth, according to the press release.

Infants are at increased risk for flu, and people who are sick should wear a mask when caring for babies, according to the press release.

People who have the flu, or who have family members with the flu, should stay home from school or work for at least 24 hours after the fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medicine. People who are sick from the flu should wear a well-fitted mask if they are around others per medical guidelines.