The Emporia area has seen a dramatic increase in flu cases in the past week to 10 days as the season peaks around the county.
“We were running maybe one case every five to six days,” said Jami White, director of infection control and employee health at Newman Regional Health. “Now we’re seeing constantly three to four cases a day.”
Those cases include all age groups from very young infants to school age children and adults, White said.
“But not as many elderly as I would have expected,” White said.
White said it isn’t unusual to see a spike in flu cases this time of year; however, there are some unusual factors this year. White said every year the experts try to project which flu strains will be circulating. This year, however, there seems to be a mismatch in the strains.
The flu shot is a good match for only about 40 percent of this year’s flu viruses, officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
“There’s strains circulating that are not in that vaccine,” White said.
Flu has hit Emporia State University as well. At last count, Emporia State’s Student Health Center had 46 positive tests for influenza, said Mary McDaniel, assistant director of student wellness. McDaniel said there were 25 or 30 other potential cases who weren’t even tested, “partly because we couldn’t keep enough tests on the shelf — we were going through them so fast — and partly because they were just so (similar to) the last 25 that were positive that we just treated them presumptively.”
McDaniel said resources have been an issue since the outbreak because one health center worker had been diagnosed with influenza herself, and another had been diagnosed with strep throat.
“So we’ve had to reschedule some routine things, like physicals and things that don’t have to be done right now, we’ve had to reschedule those for later in March,” she said. “And people that are not sick and it’s something routine, we’re asking them to postpone that a little bit for two reasons: Both so that we can have the resources we need to deal with the people who are truly ill, and when healthy people come in, they get sick.”
Absences from influenza and general seasonal sicknesses were spotty throughout public and private schools in Lyon County.
Symptoms common to winter ailments — vomiting, coughs, fevers — accounted for most of the absences, and most schools reported that absenteeism rates were running about normal, although a few said rates were a little high.
Logan Avenue had about double its usual rate of sick children, with almost 20 of its 200 students out of school today. Fifteen youngsters had been called in sick, and four others had been sent home by 9:15 this morning. Usually no more than 10 are absent.
No large numbers of sick students were reported at Village Elementary School, although both the principal and the secretary were out sick.
Absenteeism was up to 43 students and four faculty members this morning in the North Lyon County School District. The figure was considered somewhat high, but not unusually so.
Numbers at Sacred Heart School were slightly elevated, as expected this time of year, with 10 of its 85 students gone Tuesday and six absent today. Those figures were modest compared to last year.
“Last year during this time, I remember having about 30 out in one day,” said Danielle Blunt of the school, which serves children preschool through sixth grade. “I’m thinking we’re doing good.”
Influenza may be creeping into the Neosho Rapids area, though it is a little late this year.
“Usually you see that after the Lyon County League (tournament),” said Melody Nienstedt. “Maybe we’re seeing a beginning. It just seems like this week the kids are staying out a little longer, and the numbers are gradually climbing.”
Nienstedt said she had taken her own daughter to the emergency room this weekend, where she was diagnosed with Type A influenza.
White said people who are sick should stay home.
“If you have signs and symptoms, stay home,” White said. “Stay home from work. Stay home from school. Stay home from crowds. That’s the biggest way to protect the public.”
White added one more tip.
“Please don’t come visit people in the hospital if you’re sick,” she said.
Symptoms
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
- Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Take precautions
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze — throw the tissue away after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Stay away as much as you can from people who are sick.
- If you get the flu, stay home from work or school. If you are sick, do not go near other people so that you don't make them sick.
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
poff (anonymous) says...
hi renee, nice picture. have'nt talked to you in awhile. see u soon. love ya
February 21, 2008 at 2:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rami (anonymous) says...
hey poff, haven't seen YOU in awhile! hehe. I haven't seen Renee in awhile either. Love Ya! *hint:myspace*
February 21, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )