Louisiana Leads the Nation in Early Season Flu Cases

For the second consecutive year, Louisiana leads the nation in early-season flu cases, according to CDC data. Last week, Louisiana reported the highest flu activity nearing the ‘very high’ range. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says over 11-percent of flu tests in Louisiana returned positive, compared to the national average of 3.5-percent. 

 We're among the first to start to see these really high levels of activity.  Often times we start to see increases in the spread of flu in the southern states.

The Louisiana Department of Health reports high RSV activity as well, with an 18% test positivity rate. Sokol says many emergency room visits involve either flu, RSV, COVID-19, or a combination of these illnesses. 

We saw about 5% of all emergency department visits in our state that were related to flu like illnes.  Theresa Sokol

It's Not too Late to Get Your Flu Shot

If you still haven't gotten your flu shot, it isn't too late. Most pharmacies administer the flu shot, some even offer them for free.  It is available at many locations. This includes drugs stores, several grocery stores, Urgent Care facilities, your doctors office or the local health clinic in your parish. The flu shot is typically covered by your insurance.

The vaccination is still available and can help reduce the severity and spread of the flu.  Sokol says other preventive measures, including handwashing, covering coughs, staying home when ill, and getting a flu shot, remain critical. 

I also would like to remind people to kind of avoid touching their eyes and nose and mouth because germs can spread that way.  And it's always a good idea this time of the year to clean frequently touched surfaces.  Theresa Sokol