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PORTLAND, Maine

ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ’s Dora Mills interviewed about rapid rise in flu cases across Maine

Dora Mills

Maine Public interviewed Dora Anne Mills, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ vice president for Clinical Affairs and director for the Center for Excellence in Health Innovation, about this year’s flu season, which is quickly building in momentum.

The number of outpatient medical visits and hospitalizations is currently on the rise, with more widespread illness anticipated as the season progresses. β€œThe numbers are tiny right now, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg,” said Mills. β€œThey’re just telling you there’s an iceberg there.”

β€œThis is the time to get a flu shot,” she advised. Although New England is not currently in peak flu season, other parts of the country, including the southeast, are already reporting a high number of cases.

β€œPeople from those areas are getting ready to travel for the winter holidays, and they’ll bring flu with them,” Mills said. β€œOnce it’s here, it’ll spread like a brushfire.”

Mills stressed the importance of getting vaccinated, particularly to prevent the elderly and vulnerable populations from getting sick. β€œIf you’re not excited about getting vaccinated yourself, do it for the people you love,” she urged.

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About the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ

The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.