One of the indicators used by health officials to measure local flu activity shows the potential for higher transmission levels of the virus in the Mahoning Valley.

Data collected by the Ohio Department of Health's Bureau of Environmental Health and Radiation Protection show high and increasing levels of influenza in samples taken from the Youngstown Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Warren Water Pollution Control Department.

Youngstown Wastewater serves over a quarter of a million homes and businesses in a 65-mile region including parts of Austintown, Liberty, Boardman, Canfield, and Coitsville townships.

The Warren Water Pollution Control Department serves over 15,300 customers in Warren and thousands more in the neighboring communities of Champion and Lordstown.

Higher levels often indicate eventual higher transmission, higher case counts, and hospitalizations.

"The increase in influenza viral loads is a clear signal that flu activity is on the rise in Warren and its surrounding communities," said John May, deputy health commissioner of the Warren City Health District. "We urge residents to take preventative steps, such as getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene with frequent handwashing, and staying home when sick, to help reduce the spread of illness."

Influenza viruses can spread through droplets from infected individuals coughing, sneezing, or talking throughout the common influenza season, from early October to late March. The most effective way to prevent contracting influenza, being hospitalized due to influenza, or dying from influenza is to receive an influenza vaccination.

The Trumbull County Combined Health District, Warren City Health District, and Mahoning County Public Health offer the current influenza vaccine.

 

Youngstown Wastewater Treatment coverage area

 

 

Warren Sewage coverage area