Flu season off to strong start

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The flu bug has been a busy making its way across South Dakota and the nation.

Health experts say flu season has come early. Cases of the flu aren't usually noticeable until after the first of the year, but health experts started seeing cases as early as October.

So far, South Dakota has had 3 flu-related deaths, while Rapid City has had 300 confirmed cases of Influenza A and Influenza B. Health experts say just because the flu season started early doesn't mean it will end that way.

"It would be wonderful if it did," said Tamara Rhames, Rapid City Regional Hospital Director of Infection Control. "It does not always happen that way. We've had them start as late and go much later in what we would consider our season. I would like to see it end earlier because we all would but I don't know that it will."

If you haven't received a flu shot health experts say it's not too late to protect yourself. They also strongly urge practicing good hygiene to prevent the spreading of the flu bug.

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Flu season off to strong start - KOTA Territory News

Flu season off to strong start

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