FRANKFORT, KY - Much attention has been given to the outbreak of H1N1 (Swine Flu) and rightfully so. The condition has reached pandemic status as designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) meaning the virus has become an epidemic throughout a wide region.
The current U.S. outbreak began in April of this year, normally the time when seasonal influenza is ending, and its effects are being felt everywhere. Officially, the 2009-2010 flu season doesn't even start until Oct. 4.
As school began, the illness has spread to nearly every state in the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that between "Aug. 30 and Sept. 12, 4,569 hospitalizations and 364 deaths associated with influenza virus infection, or based on syndromic surveillance for influenza and pneumonia, were reported." There have been more than 500 deaths nationwide altogether thus far. The agency also reports that 99 percent of cases are the H1N1 strain which is unaffected by available flu vaccines.
So while the country waits for the newest medicine to combat the disease, state and national officials are scrambling to get the public informed of what to do and how to avoid the flu.
On the very day officials brought health leaders and the public together in this state to prepare for any developments related to the H1N1 flu, the first Kentucky life was claimed by the virus.
The announcement came Sept. 3 at the Governor's Pandemic Influenza Summit. The victim was a woman in Fayette County who had who had "significant underlying health conditions," according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH.)
"We are saddened that we have experienced Kentucky's first death related to H1N1," said William Hacker, M.D., commissioner of DPH. "We are continuing to work closely with our partners at the local, state and federal levels to respond to both the H1N1 pandemic and to the seasonal flu that we expect this fall. The illness that H1N1 causes is very similar to the seasonal flu to date, and we hope to reduce the impact of the flu on Kentucky."
Since the summit, the activity level of flu here has been elevated to "widespread," the highest level of flu activity, which indicates increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the regions in a state according to the DPH.
"Having widespread flu activity being reported in Kentucky is very unusual in mid-September," said Hacker. "This high level of activity so early in the flu season is mainly due to the H1N1 virus circulating, not the seasonal flu. We are urging individuals to get vaccinated against seasonal flu now and also receive an H1N1 vaccination when the vaccine begins to arrive in Kentucky, which should be by mid-October. Because initial supplies of the H1N1vaccine may be limited, vaccine administration will be recommended first for priority groups based on those most at risk, according to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices."
Those priority groups include people who are more likely to suffer complications from H1N1 flu, including pregnant women; people who live or care for children younger than 6 months of age; direct care health care and emergency medical services personnel; people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old; and people from ages 25 through 64 years with chronic health conditions reports the DPH.
With that said, the agency emphasizes this particular strain of flu, thus far, has been comparable to seasonal influenza as far as numbers go, it's just happening much earlier than seasonal flu.
Being comparable doesn't necessarily mean there's nothing to worry about, but standard prevention measures seem to be the best way to ward off the flu and those measures are showing up in every sector of the media available and through various spokespeople including Sesame Street's Elmo.
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department (LFCHD) Director Melinda Rowe, M.D said that agency is planning its vaccine campaign to get as many citizens as possible vaccinated.
"The health department will be working nonstop to protect the people of Lexington from H1N1 by planning massive vaccination clinics as soon as we get the vaccine in October. We want to get the vaccine to as many people as possible as quickly as we can once it arrives. In the meantime, we want folks to get their seasonal flu shot, which is now available."
An ounce of prevention
Aside from living in a sanitary bubble, there is no guarantee one can avoid the flu, no matter the strain but an ounce of prevention, as they say, will go a long way.
First and foremost, get a flu shot. Seasonal flu vaccines are available now with H1N1 vaccines on the way.
Hacker urges anyone who hasn't received a seasonal flu vaccine, particularly those in the groups at high risk for complications related to the flu, to contact their local health departments or health care provider about getting a flu shot. Healthy people age two through 49 years can get flu immunizations administered by nasal spray. Older Kentuckians should also consider getting the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine. Next, wash your hands, a lot. The DPH suggests a little common sense when it comes to flu precautions including avoiding close contact with those who are ill; staying home when sick; covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth; and frequent hand washing.
If you think you have the flu, H1N1 or otherwise, symptoms could include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough and body aches. Some may suffer from vomiting or diarrhea, as well. Individuals at higher risk for complications - such as those with chronic health conditions or who are pregnant - should contact a health care provider early, in case treatment with antiviral medication is necessary, according to the DPH.
Weekly updates on flu activity can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm. For more information on H1N1 flu, go to www.flu.gov or for state information go to http://healthalerts.ky.gov.
Anyone in Lexington with questions about the flu can call the LFCHD Flu Hotline at (859) 288-7529. The health department also has a special Flu Outreach Response Team (FORT) that will speak to groups of 10 people or more to provide information about the flu. To arrange a visit with FORT, call (859) 288-2350.