NKytribune staff
It’s been an active flu season thus far in Northern Kentucky, with 2,729 cases reported to the Dr. Jeffrey D. Howard, acting Department for Public Health through January 20.
Additionally, eight deaths have been recorded, all in adults. Flu activity is elevated throughout the U.S. as well, according to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To help protect your family from flu and its serious complications, the Health Department recommends the following steps:
* Get vaccinated — it is not too late. An annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older is the first and best way to protect against influenza. Flu vaccination is not a perfect tool, but it is the best tool currently at our disposal to prevent the flu. If you are vaccinated and get the flu, it can still offer protection. Those who are vaccinated and become ill are less likely to be hospitalized and the illness may not last as long.
* If you are ill with flu symptoms, including fever, headache and fatigue, contact your health care provider. He/she may prescribe anti-viral medications, which can also help shorten the severity and duration of flu for those who are infected.
* Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs that can cause respiratory illness like the flu. These include:
*Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* Stay home from work, school and errands when you or a family member is sick with flu. Keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth because germs spread this way.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Dr. Saddler
“Influenza can be particularly risky for certain groups, including older adults and other individuals in long-term care facilities,” said Dr. Lynne M. Saddler, District Director of Health. “If you or someone in your household has been ill with flu-like symptoms, including fever and cough, please do not visit family and friends in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals or other health care facilities. Individuals who work in such facilities should also be sure to stay home when sick. We have already seen several outbreaks of flu in these types of facilities, and we need to take steps to prevent additional outbreaks.”
During the 2016-2017 flu season, a total of 157 cases of flu had been reported through mid January; however, activity last flu season peaked late, in mid-March. National experts are comparing current activity to the 2014-2015 flu season.
In Northern Kentucky, that flu season saw its peak in late December, and more than 3,000 cases had been reported by mid-January.
“The most predictable thing about flu is that it’s unpredictable,” said Saddler. “It’s not possible to say in advance precisely when the 2017-2018 flu season will peak or end, how severe it will be, or what viruses will circulate over the course of the flu season. Thus, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and those you care about.”
Kentucky DPH says flu has reached epidemic levels in the state
The Department for Public Health, within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), now describes influenza activity in Kentucky as an epidemic. This season’s strain of the flu virus can be extremely serious, even deadly, not just for those in higher risk categories but to generally healthy Kentuckians as well.
Kentucky is in its sixth consecutive week of widespread flu activity which is the highest level of flu activity and indicates increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the regions in the state.
“Widespread influenza activity means that Kentuckians are likely to encounter one or more persons shedding influenza virus at work, at school, while shopping, while traveling, at athletic or entertainment events, and in places of worship,” said Dr. Jeffrey D. Howard, acting Department for Public Health commissioner “A person who will develop influenza illness actually can transmit the virus to other persons beginning one day before their illness begins.”
The most common flu type identified in Kentucky and in 78 percent of the 65 influenza-associated deaths this season is influenza A. Of the deaths so far, 7 percent have occurred in previously healthy individuals with no reported risk factors for severe illness. Healthy persons with influenza also will usually miss three to five days of work, school, or other usual activities, and sometimes may miss seven to 10 days.
“Pneumonia, bacterial bloodstream infections, and sepsis are examples of serious influenza-related complications that may require hospitalization and sometimes result in death of healthy people with no known risk factors for serious illness,” added Department for Public Health’s State Epidemiologist, Dr. Jonathan Ballard. “Flu vaccination is the most effective protection against flu. We especially recommend that all healthy Kentuckians aged six months and older be vaccinated.”
It takes about two weeks following the administration of the vaccine for the recipient to develop protection from the flu. There are ample supplies available throughout the state.
Vaccinations are available at Kentucky’s local health departments, pharmacies, and medical providers. Many health plans cover the cost of the vaccine with no copay.
Health officials invite the public to participate in a Facebook Live discussion about the flu on the CHFS Facebook page: Thursday night at 6 p.m. EST, 5 p.m. CST. Questions can be submitted beforehand to: chfs.communications@ky.gov or can be posted in the comments section during the live event.
Dr. Ballard
The flu can be highly contagious and cause potentially life-threatening disease. Infection with the flu virus can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches. Persons who develop flu symptoms should seek medical advice to determine if they should be treated with an antiviral drug, which could shorten the course of the illness or reduce its severity.
“Recently the CDC issued a health advisory recommending antiviral treatment to all hospitalized and high-risk persons with suspected influenza and that benefits of antiviral medications are observed even when treatment is initiated beyond two days of illness onset,” said Dr. Ballard.
Influenza virus can also directly infect the heart and can cause severe and potentially fatal acute changes in the heart’s rhythm and function.
Those same serious and potentially fatal complications can also occur in people at high risk for developing influenza related complications.
Persons at high-risk include children younger than five years (but especially children younger than two years), adults aged 65 years and older, pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum), residents of nursing homes and other longer term facilities, and persons with chronic illnesses (e.g., asthma and chronic respiratory illnesses, neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions, heart disease, blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease), diabetes, kidney and liver disorders, weakened immune system due to disease like cancer or medications, persons younger than 19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and people with extreme obesity (body mass index of 40 or more)
DPH officials report weekly to the CDC national flu surveillance system. The weekly report is now available online here, and is updated each Friday before noon.
