Health experts are calling it the earliest and worst outbreak of the deadly flu virus in a decade. Doctors confirm 41 states have seen widespread flu cases. 18 children died from the virus and it's just the beginning of this year's flu season. Tonight our local health department is speaking out addressing your concerns.
Health experts say the flu season doesn't begin until after the holidays, but this year's season started back October. They say it's not too late to get a flu shot and they have plenty of vaccine.
Coughing and sneezing and especially fever are just a few of the symptoms you'll feel when you get the flu.
"Did you have a flu shot at all this year?" asked reporter Alexis Means. "No I've never had one," said Joanna Waggamon
Waggamon doesn't plan get one. Local health departments tell 13abc they've seen a significant spike in the number of cases with flu like symptoms. Defiance County has logged 251 reports of cases with flu like symptoms, Fulton County 175, Williams County 130 and Ottawa 52 just to name a few.
"We have noticed that in Lucas county as well I think we were the last area in Ohio to experience the increase rates of influenza," said Epidemiologist Patti Fraker.
Health experts at the Lucas county health department say since September of last year they've seen the numbers go up each week.
"Carrying sanItizer is a good preventative method and we also encourage people to wash their hands and that's such a basic prevention measure but it is so important. At this time we want to be as prepared as we can and we want the public to be as protected as they can," said Fraker.
Fraker says people who come down with the flu can get pretty sick that's why they encourage you to stay informed so you can stay healthy.
"Its bad for others but it really doesn't bother me because if I get sick I get sick," said Waggamon.
Health experts say you should try to keep you hands away from you face and wash them often.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:08:32 GMT
Tornado safety is on the minds of people living in our area after Monday's tragedy in Moore, Oklahoma. 13abc's Kristian Brown spent the day at the local emergency management agency to see just how prepared Lucas
13abc's Kristian Brown spent the day at the local emergency management agency to see just how prepared Lucas County is for a disaster.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:07 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:07:58 GMT
A grandma in Fostoria fights off a man who tried to kidnap her grandson. 13 ABC's Christine Long spoke with the grandmother who battled for the boy kicking and screaming. Anyone you talk to in town
"I'm grateful that God gave me the strength to fight the man off," says Paulette Barchus who kicked and screamed on Wednesday to protect her grandson.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:45:11 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was in court Wednesday morning. Deputy Paul Little is accused of giving a firearm to a convicted felon and filing a false report that the gun was stolen. The 15-year veteran
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was in court Wednesday morning. Deputy Paul Little is accused of giving a firearm to a convicted felon and filing a false report that the gun was stolen.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:02 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:02:03 GMT
The Toledo mayor's race may be a crowded affair but so far no viable Republicans. All seven announced candidates have to first file petitions and be certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections.
Toledo Mayor Mike Bell has the financial backing of Republicans and the Independent could get the party's endorsement.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:53 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:53:47 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio state lawmakers moved boldly Tuesday against storefront sweepstakes parlors they have come to view as illegal gambling operations, advancing separate bills effectively banning
An effective ban on Internet cafes targeted as illegal gambling operations has cleared the Ohio Legislature after more than two years of wrangling.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:07 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:07:58 GMT
A grandma in Fostoria fights off a man who tried to kidnap her grandson. 13 ABC's Christine Long spoke with the grandmother who battled for the boy kicking and screaming. Anyone you talk to in town
"I'm grateful that God gave me the strength to fight the man off," says Paulette Barchus who kicked and screamed on Wednesday to protect her grandson.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:53 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:53:47 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio state lawmakers moved boldly Tuesday against storefront sweepstakes parlors they have come to view as illegal gambling operations, advancing separate bills effectively banning
An effective ban on Internet cafes targeted as illegal gambling operations has cleared the Ohio Legislature after more than two years of wrangling.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:08:32 GMT
Tornado safety is on the minds of people living in our area after Monday's tragedy in Moore, Oklahoma. 13abc's Kristian Brown spent the day at the local emergency management agency to see just how prepared Lucas
13abc's Kristian Brown spent the day at the local emergency management agency to see just how prepared Lucas County is for a disaster.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:45:11 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was in court Wednesday morning. Deputy Paul Little is accused of giving a firearm to a convicted felon and filing a false report that the gun was stolen. The 15-year veteran
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was in court Wednesday morning. Deputy Paul Little is accused of giving a firearm to a convicted felon and filing a false report that the gun was stolen.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:16 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:16:21 GMT
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Internal Revenue Service official at the center of the storm over the agency's targeting of conservative groups told Congress on Wednesday that she had done nothing wrong in the episode,
The Internal Revenue Service official at the center of the storm over the agency's targeting of conservative groups told Congress on Wednesday that she had done nothing wrong in the episode, and then invoked her constitutional right to refuse to answer lawmakers' questions.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:02 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:02:03 GMT
The Toledo mayor's race may be a crowded affair but so far no viable Republicans. All seven announced candidates have to first file petitions and be certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections.
Toledo Mayor Mike Bell has the financial backing of Republicans and the Independent could get the party's endorsement.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:32:41 GMT
Sylvania Township Police are investigating a Missing Person case. 25-year-old Jennifer Webster was last seen Monday in Sylvania Township.Jennifer is 5'1", 150 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. She was
Sylvania Township Police are investigating a Missing Person case. 25-year-old Jennifer Webster was last seen Monday in Sylvania Township.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:32:32 GMT
MOORE, Okla. (AP) - An Oklahoma emergency management official says authorities still are working to find six adults who haven't been accounted for since the devastating tornado that tore through the Oklahoma
An Oklahoma emergency management official says authorities still are working to find six adults who haven't been accounted for since the devastating tornado that tore through the Oklahoma City area earlier this week.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:08:55 GMT
A section of a busy Toledo street was shut down Wednesday afternoon after a driver hit a telephone pole. It happened on East Broadway near Varland. Police say the driver apparently glanced behind him
A section of a busy Toledo street was shut down Wednesday afternoon after a driver hit a telephone pole. It happened on East Broadway near Varland.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:32:09 GMT
The Ohio Supreme Court will hear the appeal in the case of former Ottawa Hills police officer Thomas White. In January, the Sixth District Court of Appeals overturned his felonious assault conviction. In
The Ohio Supreme Court will hear the appeal in the case of former Ottawa Hills police officer Thomas White.
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