North Dakota's flu numbers spiking

New numbers from the North Dakota Health Department concerning this year’s flu season are nothing to sneeze about.

Nearly 2,000 North Dakotans have had the flu so far, and the numbers are spiking.

"Last season we had an early peak, which is not something that we saw this season, and so we are seeing and increase now in flu season in the number of cases," said Levi Schlosser, influenza surveillance coordinator.

The very young and the very old are the most susceptible to the flu. Despite that only 40 percent of kids ages 6 months to 4 years have been vaccinated.

"This year we are seeing more influenza B, which is a little unusual. Typically we see influenza A, this early in the season," Schlosser said.

Last year during flu season, there were 8,000 reported cases in North Dakota. It takes two weeks for the vaccine to kick in and it provides six months' worth of protection. So if you get the shot now you may still avoid getting sick.

"If you do receive the influenza vaccine and you do still get the flu, your symptoms may be less severe and the duration of your illness may be shorter," according to Schlosser.

There have been no deaths this year in North Dakota.