Sussex County has its first official flu case of the season.
The state Division of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed the first case of influenza in southern Delaware. A 61-year-old Sussex County woman is recovering at home after the B strain of the virus sent her to an emergency room.
The report comes about a month after the first confirmed cases in New Castle and Kent Counties. The First State now has a total of 5 lab-confirmed cases for 2015-2016 - two in New Castle County, two in Kent County and one in Sussex County.
“Flu is now confirmed statewide,” said DPH director Dr. Karyl Rattay in a statement. “And, past experience shows that the number of lab-confirmed cases is smaller than the actual number of cases out there."
Last year, 28 people died of flu in Delaware, seven times as many as the year before. And the state had 2,390 confirmed cases.
Officials say the 2014 strain was particularly nasty and resisted their vaccine.
But they expect the shot to be more effective this year, and are urging everyone over six months of age to get it. They also remind residents that washing your hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes and staying at home when sick can help keep the flu from spreading
