CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Widespread flu is being reported at high levels across the Mountain State and in more than 30 other states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We are seeing a significant uptick in the number of influenza-like illnesses and flu-related illnesses,” confirmed Dr. Sherri Young, health officer and executive director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department.
The spike started during the holiday period.
In West Virginia, the number of reported cases of influenza-like illnesses for the 2019-2020 flu season, so far, was up above last year’s rate for the same time of year.
However, numbers remained below levels recorded in 2017-2018 during the worst flu season in years, data from the state Department of Health and Human Resources’ Bureau for Public Health showed.
“By the trend that we’re looking at, this is going to look like the flu season of 2017 and 2018 during which we had high numbers and we have what’s called a bimodal peak,” Young said.
“Typical flu seasons, we will peak somewhere in January. You’ll see a large mountain peak and then there will be a little trough and then we’ll see another peak around February. That seems to be the trend and the trajectory that we are on at this time.”
Generally, Influenza B remained the predominant strain in most parts of the U.S.
Updated flu numbers from the CDC were scheduled to be released on Friday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended three steps to fight the flu:
1. Get a flu vaccine.
2. Take everyday preventative actions to stop the spread of germs like washing hands, covering coughs, sneezing into tissues and staying home when sick.
3. Use flu antiviral drugs, if a doctor prescribes them.
“It is not too late to get your flu shot. If you have not had your flu shot and you are able to get a flu shot, get your flu shot now,” Dr. Young advised.
“That will take two weeks to provide you the full immunity, but it’s going to be one of your best defenses against the flu and it has statistically and significantly decreased your risk for influenza-like illnesses as well.”
On Jan. 20, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department was scheduled to be open to provide flu shots to people who may be off work that day.
As of Thursday, the DHHR was reporting no deaths in West Virginia due to the flu.
Nationwide, though, 27 pediatric deaths were attributed to the flu thus far this season.
Because of that, Young offered extra caution for parents or guardians of sick children.
“If you’re not sure if it’s quite a cold or the flu, air on the side of seeing your primary care physician or pediatrician because one thing that we don’t want to happen is that they’re fighting the flu, they get dehydrated, they have more symptoms or complications down the road.”
The CDC estimated there was a 40 percent chance flu activity peaked in late December, with a 35 percent chance of a January peak and a 25 percent chance of a February peak.