Town Reports 23 Confirmed Flu Cases in Braintree So Far This Season

Flu outbreaks are being reported throughout the country, and here in Braintree officials have counted 23 confirmed cases, up from two for the entire season last year.

The town conducted several flu clinics this past fall and still has vaccines in stock, Chief of Staff and Operations Peter Morin said in an email Thursday. In addition to the 23 confirmed so far, Braintree likely has "significantly more unreported cases," Morin said.

With more than 700 confirmed cases in Boston – 10 times the number of average cases last year – Mayor Thomas Menino declared a health emergency Wednesday morning.

The health department had 158 doses of flu vaccine remaining as of Thursday morning, Morin said. They are available to Braintree residents free of charge by appointment. Anyone interested may contact the Health Division of the Department of Licensing and Inspections at 781-794-8094.

The Red Cross offers several tips to reduce your exposure to the flu, like washing your hands often, coughing and sneezing into your elbow instead of your hand and others on this list.

MBTA precautions include cautionary information broadcast at stations and re-directed cleaning resources, according to Channel 7.