Local doctors more concerned about flu than Zika virus

The World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a “public health emergency of international concern” on Monday. With all of the media attention given to Zika virus, local health officials want to remind the community that it’s more important to be cautious of the flu and get vaccinated.

“I mean you can be worried about getting it, but I’d be more worried about getting the flu. I think the flu is a more serious thing,” said Brian Petrie, a University of California Riverside resident student.

But there’s an easy way to protect yourself, get a flu shot.

The Centers for Disease Control reports the vaccine reduces your risk of the flu by about 50 to 60 percent.

And it’s not too late to get yours.

“Oh it’s never too late to get a flu shot and I highly recommend everyone getting one,” Petrie said.

Petrie said this flu season isn’t as bad as last year.

“I think it was worse last year. I’m not seeing too much flu but it’s still very prevalent. You still have to be aware that a lot of kids that are going to day care don’t have a flu shot and are being exposed to that and they’re getting the flu and we’re seeing them in the hospital,” Petrie said.

Riverside County had it’sfirst flu-related death of the yearabout two weeks ago when a 47-year-old man from the western side of the county died from a flu-related illness.

It reports, between October and April last year there were 70 severe cases of the flu.

This year there’s only three, but we’re only four months into the season.

Some locals aren’t taking any chances.

“I have breathing issues so getting a flu shot is extremely important because I would be very very sick if I got a bad case of the flu,” said Mary Heartfield who lives in Rancho Mirage.

If you’re bit by the mosquito only 20 to 25 percent of people show symptoms.

And doctors describe those symptoms as flu like symptoms.

Most people in the contiguous United States are unlikely to ever come into contact with the Zika virus, but two groups need particular attention. First, people living in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Caribbean or Pacific territories, and Central and South America are likely to see an increasing spread of Zika, according to CNN.

In these areas, women who are pregnant need to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using repellants, permethrin-coated clothing, long sleeves and pants, and by staying indoors (ideally in places with air conditioning) as much as is practical. Pregnant women have been advised to postpone travel to areas where Zika is spreading.