Influenza continues to be in the news and the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department would like to remind all area residents that it is not too late to get a flu shot. The current flu season started early and hit hard across the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity is decreasing in some areas but continues to be high over much of the United States.

Influenza is a contagious viral respiratory illness that is spread through contact with respiratory secretions and droplets found in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. You can become infected when you breathe in these droplets. The flu can also be spread by touching a surface that has been contaminated by an infected person and then touching your nose or mouth.

The single most effective way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine. To encourage the people in the local area who may be unvaccinated to get immunized against the flu, the health department is offering flu shots for $10.00 while current flu vaccine supplies last.

Flu season can last until May. The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department is located at 510 E. Lee St. in Brownwood and can be reached by phone at 325-646-0554.  BBCHD is open Monday through Friday from 8am-11:30am, and from 1:00pm-4:30pm.