Every state in the nation is currently experiencing widespread flu activity, with the exception of Hawaii. This “flu season” is on track to be one of the worst in the last 10 years. Flu activity has become widespread within almost all states and jurisdictions at the same time. At least one state has declared a public health emergency, while others have closed schools.
After climbing in late December, the number of influenza cases in Utah has slowed, but health officials caution it’s not over yet. And it’s not too late to get a flu shot. The flu season runs from October through May, and usually peaks in February.
The Utah Department of Health compiles a weekly report throughout the active influenza season, using data from a variety of sources to give the most complete and up-to-date picture of flu activity in the state.
The latest Department of Health Influenza Report, which tracks influenza-like illness (ILI) activity by health district, showed low to moderate levels overall in Utah including the Southeast Utah Health District. High activity was reported in the Bear River and Salt Lake Health Districts.
According to Utah Department of Health figures, there have been nearly 1,200 influenza hospitalizations, and about a dozen deaths statewide attributable to pneumonia and influenza this flu season. Four hospitalizations have been reported in the Southeast Utah Health District–the lowest in the state. One local death has been attributed to influenza.
School-age children are at high risk for respiratory virus infections, including influenza. The Carbon School District reports the level of influenza is up in some schools, and down in others. Overall the number of cases has been about average or slightly above average for the flu season so far.
Carbon High School has been hardest hit with a 25-30 percent increase in absenteeism reported last week. About 900 students attend Carbon High, and 125 were absent due to influenza-like illness on Thursday, Feb 1 alone.
The Utah Department of Health reports student absenteeism of 6.2 absences per 100 students per day in the Southeast Utah Health District, slightly above the state average of 5.6. San Juan County, which is not part of the district, had the highest student absenteeism rate with 7.2 absences per 100 students per day.
Of the 1,178 influenza hospitalizations reported statewide as of Jan. 27, 78 cases or 6.6 percent were in the 5-24 age group.
Southeast Utah Health Department Director and Epidemiologist Brady Bradford said cities and towns in the district are somewhat isolated from the populous Wasatch Front and have escaped a major influenza outbreak so far, but it’s still a possibility. He also advised it’s not too late to get a flu vaccination.
Bradford noted the vaccine for the current strain, H3N2 or Influenza A, has historically been difficult to grow in a lab and mutates faster than other strains. As a result, it has been less effective, but is still strongly recommended to guard against contracting the flu, especially for people in high-risk groups, such as senior citizens.
Baby boomers make up the largest group of Utahns suffering from the flu this season, with 707 hospitalizations in the 65+ age group, and 192 hospitalizations for those age 50-64.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocate several actions people can take to protect themselves and others from influenza. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
Common sense preventative actions are also recommended, such as avoiding contact with sick people, and washing hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand wash.
Take antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. The CDC advises antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the length of time spent sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications, such as pneumonia.
If you get the flu, the best course of action is to stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea, and some may have respiratory symptoms without a fever.
Hepatitis A outbreak update
The Hepatitis A scare of early January along the Wasatch Front hit home when it was reported that patrons of some food service businesses in Spanish Fork may have been exposed to the virus.
During the second week in January, the Southeast Utah Health Department reported vaccinating about 100 local residents who had patronized one or more of those businesses.
Health Department Director Brady Bradford said there has been one local case associated with the first Hepatitis A outbreak among the homeless population in Salt Lake City, but no cases resulting from visits to the Spanish Fork businesses where patrons may have been exposed to the food borne illness.
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