Douglas County sees continued high flu activity as Nebraska health officials confirm pediactric death

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Douglas County health officials said Wednesday that flu activity in the county remains high.

The update comes as Nebraska health officials reported the state’s first pediatric flu death of the season.

Officials have not released information about the patient’s age or location.

As of Jan. 31, there have been 22 additional flu-related deaths in the state, according to health officials. The CDC has reported 52 additional pediatric deaths among the 3,975 total flu deaths across the nation this season to date.

Flu activity remains high in Douglas County. The most recent data through Jan. 31 shows 555 cases reported, up from 503 the week before. The highest number of cases reported in a week this season was 758 reported for the week ending Dec. 27. Documented cases fell off the next week but have been rising every week since.

Seasonally, there have been more than 3,300 cases in the county. The vast majority of cases recorded by DCHD have been influenza A.

Prevention recommendations

Health officials recommend several steps to keep families safe:

• Avoiding contact with people who are sick
• Staying home if you’re sick
• Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Washing your hands frequently
• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces

Certain groups face the highest risk, including young children, adults over 65, pregnant women, and anyone with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says Tamiflu can help people with the flu; the key is starting treatment within 48 hours of symptoms.

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Digital Director Gina Dvorak contributed to this report.

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