By: Maddy Terril
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — Since the beginning of the flu season in September 2024, Ark. has had more than 10,000 flu cases and 47 deaths. 80 percent of those deaths were individuals who were unvaccinated against the flu. Over the week of Feb. 8, 2,000 of those 10,000 cases were reported. Although the end of the flu season is near, doctors are certain this is not the end of the rise in cases.
“We’re bordering on very high right now,” said Dr. Eric Ranon from Mercy Hospital.
Ranon was referring to the weekly data that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention publishes regarding flu cases. Since then, Ranon has only seen more cases, and it is not only Ark. being impacted. Bordering states La. and Texas are also in that very high range. With colder temperatures continuing in Ark., Ranon predicts that the more cold weather the state experiences, the more flu cases will follow.
“The last two weeks of Feb. into the first week of March is usually when we see a downtrend,” Ranon said, “but it will all depend on the weather. If it is still pretty cool, then the rates will continue to be higher.”
Mercy Hospital has opened an additional clinic in Fort Smith to assist those experiencing symptoms.
“Once they start having symptoms, they should come to our clinic immediately, and we can run tests to see if they are positive for the flu,” Ranon said.
Ranon shared common symptoms to look out for when it comes to the flu. The most prominent ones to be wary of are fever, chills and muscle aches. He also noted that some symptoms can be nonrespiratory, such as diarrhea and nausea.
If experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to stay home. This is something that has been emphasized strongly since the COVID-19 pandemic and is still applicable now. Washington County is among the top counties in the state with the highest absenteeism for schools, with 10% to 15% of student bodies being absent. This is much preferred by health professionals, as returning to school or work while still sick can cause the illness to spread rapidly.
For prevention, Ranon recommends getting a flu shot at the start of Sept. Additionally, practicing good hygiene, coughing and sneezing into your elbows, staying hydrated and washing your hands frequently can help prevent the spread of the flu.
The Arkansas Department of Health also advises individuals at higher risk, such as young children, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, to take extra precautions. Wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings and avoiding close contact with sick individuals can further reduce the chances of contracting the flu. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents to remain vigilant as the season progresses.
Locally, flu shots are available on campus at Pat Walker Health Center or at Collier Drugstore. If you are experiencing symptoms do not hesitate to contact your health care provider for options on testing and treatment.