Influenza on the rise in California

The Imperial County Public Health Department is urging residents to get vaccinated as reported cases of influenza continue to rise.

Health officials said one flu-related death has already been reported this season in Imperial County.

Imperial County Public Health Epidemiologist Karla Lopez said, “The person was older than 60, had underline conditions, and this happened around November of last year.”

Lopez said residents need to be aware of what the common symptoms are.

“We can get different signs or symptoms from this infection. So they can go from mild to severe. So pretty much what we see is fever, cough, sore throat. You can have fatigue, body aches.” Lopez said.

Lopez added that influenza is highly contagious.

“Those droplets contain the virus. So people in their surroundings could either have these droplets fall in their mouths, in their nose, eyes or even inhale them,” Lopez said.

Many are hesitant to get vaccinated in fear of getting sick.

Lopez added, “So this is not true. The vaccine when it’s made or composed, they use an activated virus or I guess you can say a dead virus. So this deadly virus doesn’t cause you any illness.”

Residents can get vaccinated at their local pharmacy or at the Imperial County Public Health Department.