Prevention key as flu season nears

“It is all around us,” Sanders County Health Director Karen Morey said referencing the influenza virus. Sanders County has only had one confirmed case of Influenza A this season, and so far, seems to be unaffected by the virus even though adjacent counties have seen a stronger presence.

According to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Sanders County is not an influenza “hot spot” yet. But they have seen an elevation of cases in Missoula, Glacier, Ravalli and Powell counties, and as we all know, the virus can spread like wildfire.

Prevention is key to keeping influenza levels down. Health officials suggest the best way to avert influenza is for those over 6 months old to receive the vaccination. Morey reported that the county has administered over 600 shots, while the Clark Fork Valley Hospital affiliation has given close to 450.

“The disease spreads through coughing and sneezing with symptoms that can include high fever, chills, headaches, exhaustion, sore throat, cough and body aches,” Morey stated. “It takes about one to four days after being exposed to the virus for symptoms to develop. In addition, you may be able to pass the flu on to someone else a day before and one to five days after becoming ill.”

According to the most recent weekly report released by DPHHS on Jan. 4, 2019, there is a trend toward an increase of reported influenza cases throughout the state and is expected to increase as holiday travelers have exposed themselves to viruses. Overall, DPHHS has reported that activity has remained relatively low during week 52 (cases reported as of Dec. 29) with 131 new cases reported statewide.

DPHHS shared that during week 52, there were 405 specimens tested for influenza and only 54 (13.3 percent) were positive. Of these, 82.2 percent were of the Influenza A strain. So far this year, 19 patients have been hospitalized and two deaths have been caused by influenza. One death was of a child and one in an adult over 65 years of age. According to Morey, the adult was from Sanders County.

The flu activity level is currently at the Regional level, meaning that influenza symptoms and confirmed cases have increased and been identified in at least two, but less than half, of the regions in the state. The next level of elevation is Widespread, which requires an outbreak of influenza symptoms and confirmed cases in at least half of the regions.

Last season more than 10,000 cases of influenza were reported, Morey commented. Of those, 979 were hospitalized and 79 resulted in death.

Health professionals suggest the flu vaccination as the best way to prevent influenza but add that individuals should discuss this option with their physician before getting it. In addition, they recommend everyone covers coughs and sneezes, avoids touching eyes, noses and mouths, washes/sanitizes hands thoroughly and often, stays away from those who are ill, isolates themselves if they are ill, keeps a clean house, gets plenty of exercise and rest while limiting stress, and eats a healthy, well-balanced meal.

More information can be obtained by contacting Morey at 827-6931.