Orange Beach flu outbreak prompts concerns from Baldwin County doctors

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) — A flu outbreak in Orange Beach has led to hundreds of student absences, which are now raising concerns about an increase of influenza in Baldwin County.

Roughly 252 Orange Beach City Schools students are out sick; about 21% of the school system's estimated population of 1200 kids.

In most cases, school officials said it's the flu, and most students reported feeling sick after the homecoming dance last week.

"What we tend to worry about is if those people go to a football game against another school, or to a basketball game and everyone's in the gym together. It could spread to that school, and then spread to another school," said Dr. Daren Scroggie with Infirmary Health.

Dr. Scroggie believes the relaxation of COVID prevention measures is playing a role in the spread of diseases as a whole.

"Social distancing is less, people are getting closer together, and you've got people confined in closer spaces with more contact. We may be washing our hands less," Dr. Scroggie said.

So, what does that mean for the entire Baldwin County community?

Dr. Scroggie said flu numbers haven't increased substantially yet, but he said flu season is coming and it could happen if we're not careful.

"A lot of people feel like I'm just a little sick; maybe it's my allergies. It's just a little fever, and then they go to work and spread it to everyone. So, be cautious and not be the super spreader," added Dr. Scroggie.

State and local health officials worry about an abnormally active flu season, unlike 2021, due to a lack of mask wearing and social distancing.

If it combines with another resurgence of COVID, Dr. Scroggie said it could make the situation much worse.

"I would encourage people to get their flu shots so that we don't have these rapid spreading outbreaks. Stay home, and isolate if you are infected. Take those standard precautions," Dr. Scroggie said.

The Alabama Department of Public Health said a significant increase in flu cases has been reported in the east central part of the state.