The Ebola virus may be dominating the headlines and conversations about public health, but Wyoming Public Health officials are trying to educate residents about the threat of another, potentially more dangerous virus: the flu.
Reggie McClinton, with the Wyoming Department of Health, says contracting the flu is a more immediate threat to Wyomingites.
"Influenza also can lead to death in individuals and it can be a severe illness in certain populations so we are receiving reports of cases already from all across the state," he says.
McClinton says it can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to become effective and so early vaccination is key.
The Wyoming Department of Health recommends that all residents over the age of 6 months vaccinate themselves against the flu. The influenza vaccine can be found at local health care providers, school health departments and pharmacies.