Turlock Journal Article
By Mark Rivera, Staff Reporter
last updated February 23, 2008 at 1:22:00 PM
Except for the recent storms, February has been relatively full of sunshine. Sunshine and warmer weather hint at the coming of spring, but not before the flu bug has its way.
The Stanislaus County Department of Public Health is reporting an increase in influenza cases over the last month and does not see a decrease coming until as late as April.
"It's been mounting since mid-January," Stanislaus County Health Officer John Walker said. "We are having a late flu season. In our area, flu normally begins an upsurge right after the holiday season. In this case, it was probably two weeks after the holidays."
Walker said that the flu season currently under way is considered to be a normal season, but is being called more harsh because it is happening beyond the normal time window, making it appear longer.
Walker also said the past two years were lighter, causing a return to normal to appear more severe. The lower amount of cases the past two years have contributed to the easing of importance on vaccination this year, leaving many more susceptible to the virus.
"Influenza is not like having a head cold," Walker said. "Influenza kills an average of 36,000 Americans a year, so it's very, very important to take it seriously."
In October, the department ran a mass vaccination exercise as practice for a pandemic episode. Walker said that about 2,500 people were vaccinated in three to four hours.
"If folks want to get it, there's plenty of vaccine out there, it's not too late," Walker said. "The flu season normally lasts through March, but because of its late start, it may last well through April."
Part of this season's trouble is being caused by what Walker calls a "rogue strain" of influenza that is not covered by the vaccine. The annual vaccine changes every year and typically covers three strains of influenza. Walker said the strain is already on next year's list.
"The importance is to practice good hand hygiene, not only with soap and water but alcohol based hand cleansers. They need to be aware of respiratory etiquette like coughing into your hand instead of your elbow," Walker said.
A survey of county emergency departments conducted Friday by the Emergency Medical Services office showed that the emergency department at Emanuel Medical Center is the most impacted emergency room in the county, said Walker.
"Emanuel not only handles Turlock, but many patients from northern Merced County," Walker said. "Based upon what the EMS department shared with me (Friday), there has not been an increase in dispensing ambulances."
Vaccines for those discouraged by needles can get it in an inhalant, approved for people from age 5 to 49. Those over 50 years of age are best suited to get the pneumonia vaccine. Walker said that most influenza deaths are related to pneumonia.
"In America, in California, in Stanislaus County, we're going to have seasonal influenza, and if there is a message to (be read), we cannot make a judgment about what happened last year," Walker said. "The reality is that every year we are going to need to immunize ourselves and recognize that it's not (just) about seniors anymore."
More information about how to protect yourself and others from influenza this year and in the future can be found at the department's Web site at www.hsahealth.org.
To contact Mark Rivera, e-mail mrivera@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141, ext. 2005.
