Prepare for a bad flu season by getting vaccinated, officials urge
A bad flu season was forecast Thursday by federal officials, who warned that this year’s vaccine is not a good match for the virus hitting hardest so far.
Still, local and national health officials are urging people to get a flu shot as soon as possible.
Influenza activity is increasing in Dallas County with 18.9 percent of tests returning positive in the week ending Nov. 22. Nationally, 9.3 percent of reported specimens were positive for influenza during the same week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the H3N2 viral strain appears to be causing more flu cases this year than any other variety. The strain seems to have mutated enough that it isn’t covered well by the vaccine manufactured for this flu season, officials said during a media briefing Thursday.
“The H3N2 virus tends to be more severe on young and elderly people and those with underlying health issues,” said Dr. Christopher Perkins, medical director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.
So far this year, Dallas County has confirmed 507 flu cases of which 85 percent were a type A strain. H3N2 is type A as is H1N1, more commonly called swine flu and a heavy hitter locally since 2009.
Daily numbers of emergency department visits for influenza-like illness and numbers of new influenza-associated hospitalizations are increasing in Dallas County, although the outbreak is starting slow.
Earlier this week, the first flu-related death was reported in the county, involving an unidentified adult. Last season’s tally was 55 adult and three pediatric deaths related to the outbreak.
Officials are urging people who develop flu symptoms — fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue — to see a doctor and be tested. Anyone positive for the flu should get a prescription for antiviral medication. The drug must be taken within 48 hours of flu symptoms appearing.
In the United States, all circulating influenza viruses have been susceptible to the neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral medications, oseltamivir and zanamivir. However, rare sporadic instances of oseltamivir-resistant 2009 H1N1 and H3N2 viruses have been detected worldwide.
Perkins said the flu vaccine is still widely available from doctors, pharmacies and many grocery stores. The health department’s shot clinics also are well stocked.
The adult vaccine is available in the county’s adult immunization clinic on the first floor of the main health department building at 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas. The children’s vaccine is available at all county immunization clinics.
Clinic hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments aren’t necessary. For more information call 214-819-2162.