CONWAY, Ark. – It may still feel like summer outside, but that hasn’t stopped some people from catching the flu.
There are reports of cases across the state and in Conway.
The Arkansas Department of Health says the flu is a year around illness, but peak season is between December through March.
Angela Curtis is a pharmacist and co-owner at Amity Road Pharmacy in Conway. She says it stays hectic during the typical flu season.
“We start seeing the flu in mid-November through February,” said Curtis.
She says, this year, it’s come early.
“We have already dispensed some medication to treat active flu cases already,” said Curtis.
She says, their shot clinic is up and running, “We started immunizing last week when we got our flu shot order in.”
“We haven’t seen a large uptick in cases, but we are seeing some cases around the state, Arkansas State epidemiologist Dr. Dirk Haselow said.
Dr. Haselow says there have been a few positive flu tests, but nothing to be concerned of so early in the season.
He says, even though last year was one of the deadliest flu seasons in the state, that has no indication on how this year will be.
“The only thing predictable about the flu is that it’s unpredictable,” Dr. Haselow said.
He says, it is a good reminder to get your flu shot, “Whenever you’re concerned about an early season you should get it at your first opportunity.”
Curtis agrees, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“You want to get immunized before the flu starts to spread to protect yourself and others that you are around,” said Curtis.
The Health Department says it will have mass vaccination clinics in every Arkansas county this year.