Citing increased incidences of flu here and abroad this winter, health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated against the virus, according to local media reports.

The flu reached epidemic proportions in the United States this winter, resulting in several deaths, as well as vaccination shortages.

Though the eye of the storm appears to have passed there, Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Khal, senior consultant at Hamad Medical Corp.’s Infectious Diseases Unit, still advises Qatar residents to get the flu shot to help curb the spread of the virus.

The flu has been known to cause fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Qatar Tribune reports:

He said, “the flu incidence in Qatar has increased during the winter but not to a worrying degree… But we’re still in the middle of the influenza season and it may become more aggressive. It’s hard to predict the prevalence of influenza.”

“We are worried about what is happening in the United States because it’s particularly severe this season. And there is no reason why this may not affect this region as well. So, we strongly recommend that everybody gets the influenza vaccines, particularly those who are at high risk.”

Those in the high-risk category include small children under the age of five; pregnant women; those with health conditions, including diabetes; and the elderly. Flu shots are available at all primary health care centers and at Hamad Hospital, as well as some private hospitals.

Did you think the flu season was particularly nasty this year?

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Steven Depolo