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As the winters approach, the flue season in Dakotas has been off to a slow beginning. However, the officials warn that it does not mean people should not take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the illness. The flu season starts from the fall to the spring. So far, there have been only 67 cases of confirmed flu in North Dakota. This number is very low as compared to the earlier season's 6,443, as reported by The Bismarck Tribune, according to CBS Minnesota.

Between October 3^rd and December 19^th, there have been 492 confirmed cases of flu that includes two deaths, reported the state Department of Health. This is just a small fraction of the thousands of cases that were reported last year. "We're really talking about a handful of cases, for all practical purposes," said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, the chief of infectious diseases at St. Luke's University Health Network. The slow start is a welcome change as Influenza results in as many as 1,50,000 hospital admissions and 24,000 deaths every year in United States. The adults who report the the infection can stay contagious for as many as five days. Children who experience symptoms of vomiting can be contagious for over a week. The doctors point out that the last few seasons were really bad. Last January, as many as 8,000 citizens of Pennsylvania tested positive for the flu, reported the Morning Call.

The health officials suggest that people to get a flu shot and to wash their hands regularly. They should also stay away from the public places if they contract the infection. Last year, as many as 57% people from South Dakota were vaccinated. "It's the best protection against influenza that we have," said Jennifer Hsu, an infectious disease and internal medicine doctor with Sanford Health, said KSL