CAPE GIRARDEAU,Mo. (KFVS) – as the number of respiratory viruses rises nationally, the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center is urging residents too take preventative measures.The U.S. Centers for Disease control and Prevention’s latest report indicates a national increase in the common cold, alongside warnings about a new, mutated strain of influenza – dubbed subclade K – that could lead to a severe flu season.
While flu activity remains low locally, with only a few cases reported in Cape Girardeau County so far, health officials emphasize it’s not too late to get vaccinated. “Especially if they’re immunocompromised, that can make a big difference in some of the severity as far as the flu. It can help lessen those symptoms, and possibly even shorten the duration of the illness for them,” said Amber Grant, nursing supervisor at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.
The CDC also reports a decline in flu vaccination rates. Health leaders stress that even though the current vaccine doesn’t specifically target subclade K, vaccination remains crucial in reducing the risk of severe illness, particularly for individuals with conditions like diabetes or cancer.
The Cape Girardeau County Public Health center offers flu shots without appointments. Grant advises those experiencing symptoms like a cough, runny nose, sore throat, and fever to consider urgent care. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath warrants an immediate trip to the emergency room. Urgent care facilities often have the capability to perform chest x-rays to rule out pneumonia.
Grant also underscored the importance of consistent handwashing as a year-round preventative measure.
