Health Officials Confirm State's First Influenza Case

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State health officials have confirmed the first case of influenza activity in the state for the current flu season.<br/><br/>Laboratory tests identified the type B influenza virus

Thursday, November 8th 2007, 2:29 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State health officials have confirmed the first case of influenza activity in the state for the current flu season.

Laboratory tests identified the type B influenza virus in Oklahoma County. No other regions of the state have reported positive influenza tests so far this season.

According to the state Department of Health, nearly 36,000 Americans die of influenza each year and as many as 200,000 are hospitalized.

To avoid spreading the flu and other respiratory viruses, health officials recommend getting a flu shot and washing hands frequently.