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HOME > ABOUT > PRESS > BRACING FOR UNUSUAL FLU SEASON
Article published - Sept. 24, 2009
Credit: SONOMA NEWS
Bracing for unusual flu season
by Emily Charrier-Botts
Flu season is here.
Depending on which medical professional you talk to, the unusual flu season actually lingered throughout the summer. Since the H1N1 virus was first detected in April, countless thousands around the world continue to be diagnosed with the virus, which is so rampant that the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic in June. While health officials expect the H1N1 virus will continue to spread this fall, there is also the traditional seasonal flu to consider. Dr. Mark Netherda, a deputy health officer with Sonoma County Department of Public Health, said he expects there will be a higher number of flu cases across the board this year.
"In a normal flu season, we expected to see anywhere from 5 (percent) to 20 percent of the population get the flu," he said. "This year it could be as high as 30 percent." The World Health Organization estimates as many as 2 billion people could be infected by the H1N1 virus, which is already well established in Sonoma County. According to the California Department of Public Health, the incidence rate in Sonoma County is 10.58 cases of H1N1 flu for every 100,000 in the population, which is nearly double the state average of 5.84 cases for every 100,000 in the population. There have been six deaths in the county linked to the disease and 52 hospitalizations.
"It's already a bad year, we don't usually see it this early," Netherda said.
Health officials are recommending that the public take extra precautions to avoid spreading disease this season. Recommendations include frequent hand-washing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and staying home while sick until at least 24 hours after a fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medicines. In addition, flu shots give added protection against getting sick.
However, this year could prove confusing to consumers, as there are two separate vaccinations needed, one for the seasonal flu and one for the H1N1 virus. The seasonal flu shot is already on the market and most likely available by calling your primary care physician. Additionally, Sonoma Valley Hospital's Occupational Medicine Department is offering seasonal flu shots for $20. Those interested can make an appointment by calling 935-5470 or by just dropping into the office in the hospital at 347 Andrieux St.
"We anticipate having adequate supply of the seasonal flu vaccine for anyone who wants it," Netherda said, referring to prior years when there has been a limited supply of flu shots available.
It remains unclear how ample the supply of H1N1 virus vaccines will be. Early on, health officials assumed individuals would need two doses of the vaccine to prevent illness.
"Because it's such a new virus, there was concern people wouldn't have a proper immune response from one shot," Netherda said, adding that while children who have never received a flu shot will require two doses. That assumption proved largely incorrect and most individuals will be protected from one shot. "That's good news because it essentially doubles the amount of vaccines in our community."
The H1N1 virus vaccine is created using the exact same process as the seasonal flu shot. But the two vaccines target different sets of viruses so both are needed to fully protect an individual from illness, Netherda said.
The H1N1 virus vaccine is expected to be available by mid-October, although certain groups will be prioritized to get the vaccine first, including families with infants under 6 months of age; pregnant women; health-care workers; adults with underlying medical conditions that pose a risk for flu complications such as asthma, HIV or cancer; and individuals between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, who are most likely to spread the disease through schools and dormitories. Senior citizens, who are usually considered a high-risk group for flu complications, are not as susceptible to the H1N1 virus, Netherda said.
"It's believed those people have seen so many flu viruses over their lifetime ... that when they get exposed to this virus they don't pick it up as much," he said.
For both the seasonal and H1N1 flu, there are two vaccination options. Patients can choose to have the standard flu shot, which consists of a dead version of the virus, or a nasal spray that consists of a live version of the virus. Netherda said people could receive both vaccines in the same day as long they don't get the live version of both viruses.
"Also, the really little kids will have to get shots," he said, adding that the live virus nasal spray is not approved for children under 5.
Health care providers can sign up online to request doses of the vaccine. Netherda said his office is encouraging all doctors and health centers to sign up to distribute the vaccine to their patients. The Sonoma Valley Community Health Center has already put in a request, according to Chief Executive Officer Patricia Talbot.
"We will only be treating our patients," Talbot said. "Everybody else should plan to go to their own doctors to get the flu shot, for both the seasonal and H1N1."
The Community Health Center will host two public flu-shot clinics where anyone can come down and get vaccinated. The clinics will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at Vintage House senior center, 264 First St. E., Sonoma.
Businesses can also contact Sonoma Valley Hospital's Occupational Health Department to set up a flu shot clinic for employees.
"All we ask is that there are at least 10 people there," said Dawn Kuwahara, director of professional services for Occupational Health.
Micaela Philpot, principal of Sonoma Valley High School, said the school has been diligent about informing parents and students about how to stay healthy during the flu season and avoid spreading disease. She added that there has been an unusually high number of students out sick in the first month of the school year.
"We sent (a handout) home with the kids again yesterday with a caveat saying we've had a number of kids come down sick," Philpot told the Index-Tribune Thursday.
For more details, call the Sonoma County Department of Public Health's information line at 565-4477 or visit www.sonoma-county/H1N1. |
