By Katie Knapp
Omaha, NE – Douglas County has its first confirmed flu case of the season.
The Douglas County Health Department says an elderly woman was hospitalized last week with the county's first confirmed case of the flu. She is now home and recovering.
Health Department Director Dr. Adi Pour says it's not too late to get a flu shot. She says that's the best way to prevent catching the flu. Dr. Pour says you should also wash your hands frequently, cover your cough, and stay home when you're sick.
The recommendations for who should get a flu shot were expanded this year to include children up to age 18. People over 50, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses, and health professionals are also urged to get vaccinated.
There were more than 1,300 cases of the flu in Douglas County last year. Dr. Pour says the flu season is off to a slow start so far, but it's hard to predict what type of flu season this will be.