Health Officials: Flu virus more deadly than coronavirus
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - With 5 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, Yuma County Health Officials (YCH) want the public to know there is a deadlier virus they need to be worried about.
The coronavirus has been around for a while now, however, the strain that doctors are recently coming across is new.
The outbreak of this new mysterious coronavirus is rapidly spreading in China.
The strain of coronavirus is believed to have originated from Wuhan, China. So far it has infected thousands and killed over a hundred people.
Cases of the virus have begun to pop up in other countries as well, with five of those being in the United States. And so far one in Maricopa County.
The news has sparked fear among citizens on whether the outbreak will begin here.
However, health officials said those cases are all people who have visited Wuhan, and returned to the U.S. before the outbreak really started.
To ease fears, health officials say out of those five cases, none have proved to be spread through human to human contact, which is a good sign.
YCH said they have planned years in advance to contain outbreaks like this strain of coronavirus. They have had other viruses like H1N1, and West Nile presented itself in Yuma County, where they had to contain the virus as well.
Contact with local providers has already been made in the case that someone presented themselves with the coronavirus.
Symptoms for this coronavirus are similar to the symptoms of a common cold, so it's important to practice always wash your hands, cover your cough, stay home if sick, and take precautions for keeping the community safe.
Although the coronavirus is taking the lives of those in China, YCH said that there is a virus much more dangerous here in the U.S., the flu virus.
The flu takes the lives of thousands every year and poses more of a risk to U.S. citizens than the coronavirus itself.
Health officials emphasize how important getting the flu shot is, especially during this season where the current strain of flu presenting itself within the Yuma County is included in this year's flu shot.
To stay up to date with information on viruses in the Yuma County you can sign up for e-notifications here.
