Visitor restrictions begin at hospital due to flu threat

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Health officials have declared a flu epidemic in several states including North Carolina. In the Cape Fear region, officials say that although the flu season here is normal, they are still monitoring the conditions of the season that some times lasts into early Spring.

At the Brunswick County Health Department, officials say the flu season in the area is normal; they say no deaths have been linked to the virus in the county.

Human Services Director David Stanley says that it’s not too late for residents to get a flu shot, but it’s also important to note that it is not a miracle drug.

“That just because you get the flu vaccine that doesn’t mean you’re one hundred percent protected from actually getting the flu,” Stanley said. “But what it does do is it, even if you do contract the flu, you usually get a milder case.”

Starting today, there will be visitor restrictions at Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Supply. Officials with New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington and Dosher Memorial in Southport say there are no restrictions at their facilities, but they are keeping an eye on the flu season.