Local health officials are seeing an increase in the number of influenza diagnoses | WBNS-10TV Columbus, Ohio



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While the suburbs of Cincinnati mourn the death of fourth grade student Sable Gibson, local public health officials warn of an increase in the number of reported cases of influenza.

According to Gibson's parents, the fourth grader died after being diagnosed with both strep throat and flu. Alex Jones, Assistant Commissioner of Health for Franklin County, said although she does not know about sudden death in the suburbs of Cincinnati, she adds that a secondary illness accompanying flu is not uncommon.

"Every time your immune system is weakened by the flu, or that it can instead contract one of these other viruses and you catch the flu at the same time," Jones says.

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Jones says locally that the flu season usually peaks between the middle and late winter, but now everyone needs to be on the alert as the center of Ohio is currently experiencing an increase number of cases of influenza.

"We are currently seeing a high number of widespread influenza incidents," Jones said.

This public health officer said that in this influenza season, the people of central Ohio have a better chance of being protected because this year's vaccine covers more strains than the season last.

"As we know, he's the number one protector against flu in any season," said Jones.

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