Flu Spreading Across SC

State health officials say influenza is spreading across South Carolina. Dr. Robert Ball with the Department of Health and Environmental Control told The Post and Courier of Charleston that flu is now widespread across the state. The newspaper reported that DHEC information released Thursday show incidents of flu are highest along the coast.

AP
Published: February 20, 2009

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - State health officials say influenza is spreading across South Carolina.

Dr. Robert Ball with the Department of Health and Environmental Control told The Post and Courier of Charleston that flu is now widespread across the state. The newspaper reported that DHEC information released Thursday show incidents of flu are highest along the coast.

DHEC says more than 40 percent of the cases reported this year have been resistant to Tamiflu, a popular antiviral drug.

Influenza and its complications kill about 600 South Carolinians annually.

Health officials say people who develop flulike symptoms, including high temperature and dry cough, should visit their doctor for a rapid flu test.

Ball says it’s not to late for South Carolinians to get a flu vaccine, since the outbreak is expected to continue through next month. The vaccine takes about two weeks to work.