First Influenza Case of the Season Reported in New Mexico
Department of Health Recommends Influenza Vaccination for Everyone 6 Months & Older
Today the New Mexico Department of Health announced the first laboratory-confirmed influenza case of the season in a 94-year-old man from Bernalillo County who was hospitalized. Last year, the first case of influenza was also reported in mid-September.
“With the first influenza case reported, I want to remind New Mexicans about the importance of getting an influenza vaccine,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Retta Ward. “It’s hard to predict how severe this flu season will be, but the flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from influenza.”
The Department of Health recommends everyone six months of age and older should get flu vaccine each flu season, especially people in the following groups because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:
- Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
- Pregnant women (any trimester)
- People age 65 and older
- People of any age with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, lung or heart disease, and those who are immunocompromised
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu
- American Indians and Alaskan Natives
- People who are morbidly obese
- Healthcare personnel
People in these groups should also consider seeing their health care provider as early as possible to be evaluated for antiviral medication if they develop flu symptoms because the sooner that these medications are begun, the better the chance of preventing serious complications. People who have the flu may have some or all of the following symptoms:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
Remember that to avoid catching the flu or passing it on to others, everyone should wash their hands frequently, cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and stay home when ill.
To find out about flu vaccination clinics throughout New Mexico, you can call the Immunization Hotline toll free at 1-800-232-4636 or check out the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to see where the vaccine is being offered. You can find more information about flu and flu vaccines in the Influenza Vaccinations section of our website.
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Primer Caso de Influenza de la Temporada Anunciado en Nuevo México