FLU IS NOW WIDESPREAD IN NEW MEXICO. DR. CHAD SMELSER WITH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE SHOWING UP AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE WITH FLU-LIKE ILLNESS IS GOING UP.
SMELSER SAYS THE STRAIN FIRST IDENTIFIED IN 2009 CAUSED A PANDEMIC AND IS THE PREDOMINATE STRAIN OF FLU NOW CIRCULATING IN THE U-S AND NEW MEXICO. IT'S KNOWN AS H-1-N-1.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS CONFIRMING THAT NEW MEXICO HAS HAD ITS FIRST FLU FATALITY OF THE SEASON…A 76 YEAR OLD SANTA FE COUNTY WOMAN WHO DIED IN LATE DECEMBER. THE DEPARTMENT IS URGING PEOPLE TO GET A FLU SHOT.
