Two children have died from the flu this season in Florida according to the latest report released by the Florida Department of Health.
Flu and flu-like-illnesses are plateauing or decreasing in 37 counties according to the department, but increasing locally in Nassau, Duval, Baker, Columbia and Putnam.
“A lot of people are not getting the flu shot and it’s important to get it,” said local pediatrician Nicole Rodriguez.
Rodriguez tells Action News Jax she’s seen an uptick in cases, and weighed in on potential causes for the increase.
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“A lot of people take their kids sick to day care or to school,” Rodriguez said. “And that propagates the virus.”
She says the holidays are an essential time to be on high alert for flu symptoms, as families gather together.
Jacksonville man Todd Vojtech says he’s experiencing flu-like symptoms. “I didn’t get my flu shots this year,” he said.
Those who come down with the flu or flu-like symptoms are encouraged to drink fluids, wash their hands frequently, and stay home for at least 24 hours of being fever-free.
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Cox Media Group
