MO DHSS publishes first Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report of 2023-2024
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KBSI) – Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) published its first Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report of the 2023-2024 flu season. Its available as an interactive online dashboard. The first official week of Flu Season, October 1-7, resulted in low activity with 125 confirmed cases of influenza A and B statewide, according to DHSS.
The dashboard contains previous weekly flu reports DHSS has produced for many years. Additionally, it shows the weekly number of cases statewide as compared to past flu seasons, percentage of hospital emergency department visits and the number of new flu-related hospital admissions. DHSS says that data will continue to be updated weekly.
The CDC says that vaccination is the best protection against flu-related and COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Those six months and older are eligible to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccine. It is recommended that people get the vaccines by the end of October because it takes two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection, according DHSS.
This will be the first flu season where flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines will be available at the same time. DHSS is also urging that everyone stays home when sick, handwashing, and testing to identify infections. Individuals can get both flu and COVID-19 vaccine in the same appointment. Vaccines near you can be found at MOStopsFlu.com.
