Flu runs rampant, survelliance upped
According to the newsletter released by Bear River Health Department (BRHD), as of Feb. 6, there have been 41 reported cases of influenza in Cache County, a big increase in the number as reported since Jan. 31 when 25 flu cases were confirmed.
Mike Weibel, public information officer of BRHD, said in order to ensure the health of the Olympic athletes, the center launched a surveillance program which urges all the Olympic volunteers to get a flu shot this year.
He said some people may be asked to show the laboratory confirmation since it was found that many symptoms of Anthrax are the same as influenza.
According to the newsletter, “Symptoms associated with influenza or influenza-like illness include fever of 101 degrees or greater, malaise, chills, headache, sore throat and nonproductive cough.”
The surveillance program is supposed to detect anything out of the ordinary in a timely manner, he said.
“Intermountain Health Care [IHC] which owns several hospitals throughout Utah including Logan Regional Hospital, has the contact with Olympics to provide medical care to the athletes,” Weibel said.
It is responsible to report the influenza cases to the Health Department, which is part of the surveillance program, he said.
Although flu season usually starts in January and “the best time to get a flu shot is probably just before Christmas,” Weibel said, it’s not late to get a flu shot, because the peak of flu season is approaching.
“Flu generally extends to the end of March or the first part of April. Getting a shot now may ward off chances of flu in March or April,” he said.
According to the newsletter, influenza targets people of any age. Children rank among the highest infection rates, and people more than 65 years old are “at the high risk for complications from influenza,” and they “suffer the most serious morbidity and mortality rates,” according to the newsleter.
Compared to the rapid increase of flu illness in Utah, Utah State University seems a warding wall against flu.
According to Dr. Jim Davis, USU Student Health Services (SHS) director, until now they have received only four reported cases of flu on campus this year.
Davis said, as part of the surveillance program, they report the flu cases of students to the Health Department.
“USU students are voluntary to have a flu shot, and we offer the medical treatment, immunization service and education of all kinds of diseases.” Davis said.
The advisers of SHS are willing to answer students’ questions and provide suggestions on preventing the disease Davis said.
Medicine is usually prescribed to the flu-infected students. Nevertheless, Davis said, it cannot insure a complete immunization from flu. It is only capable of “decreasing replication and spreading of the flu virus,” and reducing the complications induced by flu.
He said flu is a respiratory type of disease. Coughing and sneezing make flu spread easily and quickly. So it’s better for those students who suffer flu stay at home, disconnecting themselves with other students.
Other than getting a flu shot, Davis said, chances of guarding against flu lie in a good hygiene habit. Washing hands several times every day, and keeping away from dirty tissues are effective in impeding the flu. Flu virus sneaks into the body when people take food, or unintentionally touch the mouth and nose.
Weibel said since influenza virus varies each year a little bit, the vaccines produced to battle the prevalent virus at this time won’t be used for the next year. People are all encouraged to have a flu shot every year.