Influenza activity in the region may have peaked this season.
The number of lab-confirmed flu cases declined for the second week in a row after five weeks of significant increases, the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reported today. The percentage of emergency department visits due to influenza-like-illness also dropped. Three additional deaths were also reported.
Based on the latest Influenza Watch report, covering the week ending Feb. 9, 2013, HHSA reported the following:
- Lab-confirmed influenza cases for the week: 718 (855 last week)
- Influenza-like-illness at emergency departments during the week: 11 percent (12 percent last week)
- Total influenza deaths to date: 33
- Total lab-confirmed influenza cases to date: 3,677
San Diego residents who died with influenza ranged in age from 42 to 99 years and all but one had underlying medical conditions or advanced age. The reported number of flu-related deaths is the second highest on record. Fifty-eight deaths were reported during the 2009-2010 flu season.
While influenza can sometimes be unpredictable, County health officials believe the worst of this influenza season may have passed.
“We’ve seen two weeks of steady declines in the number of lab-confirmed influenza cases and that is a good sign,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “However, people should not become complacent. People should continue to take preventive measures to avoid getting sick, including getting vaccinated.”
While influenza commonly affects the elderly, pregnant women, infants, and people with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or a compromised immune system are also at higher risk for complications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months or older, who is not allergic to it, should get a flu vaccine every year. The vaccine is safe, effective, and available at many locations in the county. It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop after getting vaccinated.
This season’s flu vaccine offers protection against Influenza A H3N2, Pandemic H1N1-like, and Influenza B strains; it is well matched for the viruses that are circulating, and has been determined by the CDC to be 62% effective.
The vaccine is available throughout San Diego County at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. County public health centers have flu vaccine available for children and adults with no medical insurance. For a list of locations, visit www.sdiz.org or call 2-1-1.
Most people who become ill will not need medical attention and should recuperate at home to avoid exposing others. Individuals with underlying medical conditions and those with symptoms that do not improve or that worsen should seek medical attention from their doctor or urgent care provider. Only those who are very sick should go to local emergency departments.
In addition to getting the vaccine, there are other precautions people can take to avoid getting sick: wash your hands thoroughly and often, use hand sanitizers, stay away from sick people, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and clean commonly touched surfaces. If you are sick, stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and avoid contact with others.
