Flu Season Hits NY As 189 New Cases Confirmed In Past Week

NEW YORK – Flu season is heating up as health experts report 189 new cases of the illness in New York in the week ending Nov. 2, a 48 percent increase on the seven days earlier.

Of them, 44 people were hospitalized, up by 22%, according to the state's department of health.The virus has already killed one person, a child who was sickened in upstate Monroe County in October.

The uptick in cases caused health experts to urge New Yorkers to get their flu vaccine.

“As New Yorkers, we look out for each other,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “And there is no better way to look out for your fellow New Yorker – especially those most vulnerable to the flu such as infants, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly – than getting vaccinated against influenza."

Last year's flu season was the longest seen in New York in 10 years, starting in November and stretching until April. Health department records show that only 47 percent of people aged over 18 got vaccinnated.

Influenza symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people, especially children, may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may also be infected with influenza and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.