SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A dramatic drop in flu cases in Greene County has left fewer of us with sneezes, coughs, and scratchy throats. However, health experts have been left scratching their heads as they search for a reason for the decrease.
“There really is no great answer, and there is no reason for it, other than these things are cyclical,” explained Mike Brothers, spokesperson for the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.
The flu typically attacks most of us during the peak of the flu season, between January and March. This time last year there were 200 confirmed influenza cases in the county. So far this year there are just 18. The local trend mirrors similar numbers on the national level.
"It would be really tempting to say we have had a really mild winter and flu is down so that’s the cause," Brothers said. "There is really not a connection there because flu is a virus. It doesn't care if it is sun-shining or raining or if it is cold or hot."
However, people do care if it's cold. Usually, on those days, folks huddle inside warm homes, schools, and other public gathering spots. Doctors say higher concentrations of people packed into an area gives the influenza bug more opportunity to jump from person to person.
"It could be that we will see a later season in general where we will see the average number of cases, but it will happen later in the year," said Brothers.
Since we're not out of the woods just yet, health experts urge to keep the bug at bay with regular hand washing, by keeping our hands away from our face, and by obtaining a flu shot.
