Peabody Hard Hit By This Winter's Increase In Reported Flu Cases

PEABODY, MA -- In Massachusetts, it's been a particularaly bad flu season, with 2,872 cases reported so far, up from 823 in all of last year's flu season. And no area of the state has been hit harder than northeastern Massachusetts, where 823 cases have been reported, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. That has prompted the Peabody Public School system to remind parents to keep sick kids at home.

"The Peabody Health Department has received reports that a number of individuals from our community have been diagnosed with influenza and/or are experiencing flu-like illness over recent weeks," the district said in a note to staff, students and parents. "This is a reminder to stay home and/or keep your child/children home if they experience influenza-like illness...Also, remember that children may only return to school once they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine."

DPH estimates between 250 and 1,200 people die from influenza each year in Massachusetts. Already this season several people have succumbed to the flu, including a beloved Swampscott music teacher. The Peabody health department reminded residents that it is still not too late to get a flu shot, which remains a person's best defense in avoiding influenza this winter. Other ways you can avoid getting the flu:

• Get flu vaccine every year as soon as it is available.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of your elbow if you don’t have a tissue.
• Throw tissues away and wash your hands.
• Always wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Use household cleaners to clean things that are touched often, like door knobs, toys, and phones.
• Avoid close physical contact with people who are sick. Try to stay at least 3-6 feet from someone who is sick with the flu.

For more information on how to avoid the flu, see DPH's Website.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).