Six additional flu-related deaths were reported last week, but overall, cases in the region dropped for the second week in a row, leading local health officials to believe the worst of flu season may be over.
For the week ending Feb. 8, 2014, the County Health and Human Services Agency released the following:
- Emergency department visits for influenza-like illness: 8 percent (down from 10 percent previous week)
- Lab-confirmed influenza cases for the week: 297 (down from 464 previous week)
- Total influenza deaths to date: 35
- Total lab-confirmed influenza cases to date: 3,372
San Diego residents who have died from influenza this season ranged in age from 26 to 92 years, and almost all had underlying medical conditions. Sixty-five deaths were reported last flu season.
“Influenza can be unpredictable, but after two weeks of declines in the number of lab-confirmed cases, it appears flu activity has peaked this season,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “However, the flu season typically lasts through March and early April, so people should continue taking preventive measures, including getting vaccinated.”
More people have required intensive care for influenza at local hospitals this season, with 173 cases reported compared to 116 for all of last season.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every year. The vaccine is especially important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu, including people with certain medical conditions, pregnant women, and people 65 years and older.
The current flu vaccines offer protection against Pandemic H1N1, Influenza A H3N2 and Influenza B strains. It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop after getting vaccinated.
In addition to getting vaccinated, you should also wash your hands thoroughly and often, use hand sanitizers and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Staying away from sick people, cleaning commonly touched surfaces and staying home when sick are also recommended.
The flu vaccine is available at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. If you don’t have medical insurance, you can go to a County public health center to get vaccinated. For a list of locations, visit www.sdiz.org or call 2-1-1.
