The flu bug has bitten Oklahoma, and Seminole County is starting to feel the effects.

The latest Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) report, which was for the week ending Jan. 28, shows 2,222 confirmed cases of flu in Oklahoma. In Region 5, which includes Seminole County, there were 40 cases (39 Flu A and one Flu B) for the same period. The actual number of cases is likely much higher, as positive tests reported by health providers are the only ones counted.

At least two school districts in Seminole County have moved to a virtual learning platform due to a large number of cases of flu among staff and students. On Wednesday, Butner Public Schools released the following memo: “Due to the number of staff members and students being affected by the flu, Butner Schools will transition to virtual Thursday and Friday. BPS will return to in-person learning next Tuesday. While on virtual learning, the school will be wiped down and classrooms fogged to help the fight of the flu.”

Butner also canceled its basketball game that was scheduled for Thursday night, Jan. 30.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Varnum Elementary announced they would be shifting to virtual learning as well Thursday and Friday.

The following information is from the OSDH website: Symptoms Flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms: Fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches; headaches and fatigue (tiredness).

Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Prevention Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season, especially people at higher risk.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important action in reducing your risk of flu and its potentially serious outcomes.

Children younger than 6 months are at higher risk of serious flu illness but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead.

Take actions every day to help stop the spread of germs.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. For flu, CDC recommends that people stay home, for at least 24 hours, until both are true: your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication)*.

Cover coughs and sneezes.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wearing a mask is an additional prevention strategy that you can choose to further protect yourself and others. When worn by a person with an infection, masks reduce the spread of the virus to others. Masks can also protect wearers from breathing in infectious particles from people around them.

Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol- based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.

You can improve air quality by bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. Cleaner air can reduce the risk of exposure to viruses.