New flu season is packing a punch

Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) -- The upcoming flu season could pack more of a punch this year.

Minnesota and North Dakota were lucky last year with low numbers of flu cases. But with two new strains expected to make the rounds, flu cases could rise back to normal rates.

Vaccines targeting the new strains are already available.

John R. Baird, health officer, says, "it's very hard to predict the upcoming flu season. So, we do the same thing each year, try to get people to get their flu shots, their flu vaccine, use the same protection that we always recommend of washing your hands."

The vaccine may not protect people from the threat of a swine flu variation transmitted through direct contact with pigs.

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