Flu cases are climbing fast in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys. This comes after a sad event: a teenager from Greene County in Ohio became the first child to die from the flu this season. Health officials are reminding everyone that the flu is serious and can be deadly. They say it's not too late to get a flu shot, especially for kids.

Hospitals in the area are getting busier. In Mahoning County, 34 people were hospitalized with the flu in just one week. Trumbull County had 17, and Columbiana County had four. These numbers are higher than the week before. Across the border in Pennsylvania, things aren't much better. There have been over 35, 000 confirmed cases and 22 deaths so far this season.

One big reason for the spike in cases is a new version of the flu virus called "subclade K. " This version mutated in Australia last summer, but the flu shot in the U. S. was made before this change. Experts say this means the vaccine might not work as well against this new strain. However, they also say this doesn't necessarily mean the flu is more dangerous—just that it spreads quickly.

Local health centers are seeing more patients with respiratory illnesses. Flu and COVID-19 are the most common, with some cases of RSV as well. Even though flu season is already here, health experts say it's still a good idea to get vaccinated. The season can last until May, so there's still time to protect yourself.

To stay safe, health officials recommend washing your hands often, covering your coughs, and staying home when you're sick. If you don't have insurance, the Vaccines for Children program offers free flu shots at local health departments.

Flu Season Hits Hard: What You Need to Know

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