O’NEILL – Two pediatric influenza-related deaths recently have been reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
One of the deaths occurred within the North Central District Health Department’s service area, which covers Antelope, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Pierce and Rock counties.
“NCDHD shares our deepest condolences with the families impacted,” said Heidi Kuklis, the director of the O’Neill-based North Central District Health Department.
Nationally, 20 children have died so far from the flu this season, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Nebraska, there have been a total of three flu-related deaths, including one adult, reported so far this season.
Antiviral drugs like oseltamivir, commonly known as Tamiflu, should be used as early as possible in people who have flu-like illness. Tamiflu can safely treat flu symptoms in infants as young as 2 weeks old.
For those who are not sick, common-sense preventive measures along with flu shots can help prevent flu and other winter illnesses.
People can protect themselves from the flu by: - Washing their hands often. - Avoiding contact with people who are sick.
- Staying home from work, family gatherings and social functions if they are sick.
- Covering their mouth and nose when they cough with a tissue or sleeve, not into your hands.
- Eating healthy, drinking plenty of fluids and getting plenty of rest.
- Avoiding smoking. - Getting a flu shot.
Flu shots can reduce flu-related illnesses, visits to the doctor, missed work and school, and flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.
Flu shots are available at NCDHD and local clinics. The North Central District Health Department’s clinic schedule is online at ncdhd. ne.gov/event-calendar.
DHHS recommends people speak with their healthcare provider as the CDC recommends flu shots for everyone 6 months and older.
While the flu can make anyone sick, certain people are at greater risk for serious complications: - Young children.
- Adults 65 years of age or older. - Pregnant women. - People with chronic lung disease like asthma and COPD, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, heart disease, neurologic conditions and certain other long-term health conditions.
- Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
For more flu information, people may visit the NCDHD website at ncdhd.ne.gov, the DHHS website at www.dhhs.ne.gov/flu or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu.
