BREWSTER, NY—Putnam County now has the highest rate of flu cases compared to all other counties in New York State, according to the New York State Department of Health. For the week ending December 20, Putnam’s rate was 918 cases per 100,000, the typical way in which flu case numbers are counted and reported. This incidence rate is not only the highest in the state, but also 61 percent higher than the next highest county, Nassau County on Long Island. For residents with challenges accessing flu vaccines, the health department will offer the shots to both children and adults. Vaccines are also available at pharmacies and through healthcare providers.

“More than half of our flu cases are in children from five through 17 years of age,” said Health Director Rian Rodriguez, MPH. “During the holiday season with family and friends gathering, this rise may easily continue. We urge residents to take precautions and stay home when sick to avoid spreading germs. It is also not too late to get vaccinated, since flu season typically runs until late April or early May, and vaccines remain the best preventative measure.”

After children, the second most vulnerable population are older adults as expected. Like children, seniors can have compromised immune systems. While infants’ immune systems are still developing, older adults have immune systems that may have changed and weakened. Staying home when sick to avoid spreading the illness is really the only advice.

“It is a sad situation when someone has to miss out on a holiday” acknowledges the health director. “But recognizing that the alternative could be much worse is important.”

Flu vaccines are available at no-cost for both under- and uninsured adults and children at the health department. COVID vaccines are also available for adults. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 845-808-1332 for the nursing department at the health department. With insurance, others can find a vaccine by visiting:

• https://vaccinefinder.org/
• https://cveep.org/vaccine-locator/
• https://www.easyvax.com/dtcpdsearch

Residents are reminded to watch for flu symptoms in infants and the elderly who are at highest risk of serious complications and death. These symptoms include fever, runny or stuffy nose, worsening cough, body aches, headache, sore throat, tiredness, and possibly nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In children especially, and older adults as well, these symptoms can progress quickly and should be taken seriously to avoid tragic outcomes.

The health department has reached out to healthcare providers in Putnam including nurses at local schools to alert them of this rapid rise in case numbers. Residents can monitor the weekly shifts in cases of all respiratory diseases in Putnam via the online Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.

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Resources:

Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard—Putnam County Department of Health

https://www.putnamcountyny.gov/respdash

Influenza (Flu) in Children—John Hopkins Medicine

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/influenza/influenza-flu-in-children

La influenza: A Guide for Parents (Spanish)—New York State Department of Health

https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2424.pdf