Written by, Tiffany Brady, MTN Reporter
Flu outbreak has increased in Tennessee within the week from a regional outbreak to now a widespread outbreak. This means that at least half of the regions in the state show evidence of Influenza infection. Schools across the region have been severely affected causing 11 districts to stop schools entirely for the week: Maury, Wilson, Barren, Fayetteville City, Giles, Lawrence, Lebanon Special Schools District, Lewis, Lincoln, Perry and Stewart.
Wilson County Schools claim they will be closed from Jan 29 until Feb 1 due to the outbreak in there district.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention list people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old as high risk candidates.
The CDC encourage people six months and older to receive an annual flu shot and to look out for symptoms including fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness).