Meghan May discusses the flu outbreak in Maine with WMTW

Meghan May, associate professor of microbiology and infectious disease at UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine
Meghan May, associate professor of microbiology and infectious disease at UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine

According to Maine health officials, the flu is now considered to be widespread throughout Maine.

Cases of the flu have been reported in all 16 of the state’s counties.

So far this season in Maine, 6 people have died from the flu, 90 people have been hospitalized, and nearly 1,300 hundred people have tested positive for it.

Officials with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention say the number of positive cases of the flu is likely an underrepresentation of the number of people who have actually been infected.

Meghan May, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and infectious disease at UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, told WMTW the best way to avoid the flu is to get vaccinated. She says even though we are well into flu season, it is not too late to get a flu shot.

“Get a flu shot as quickly as you can,” May told WMTW. “Sometimes people think, 'Oh, I have to go to the doctors and take time off from work.' No, you can get one at a pharmacy or at a walk-in clinic.”

Experts say if the flu shot does not guard against the exact strain you have, it will at least lessen the severity of your symptoms.

 

 

 

 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.