KHI News Service
Topeka, Dec. 22
An elderly, south central Kansas person became the state”s first confirmed flu fatality of the 2006-2007 season, health officials said today.
Officials at Kansas Department of Health and Environment typically do not release names or other potentially identifying details of disease victims, but noted the deceased person was over age 70.
Local health officials are not required to report incidents of influenza, but KDHE laboratories also confirmed four other cases of the flu. Three were in south central Kansas and one in northeast Kansas, health officials said. Two of the cases were found in children under age 5. The other two were found in persons between the ages of five and 24.
To track influenza, KDHE has agreements with several health care providers in each region of the state (called sentinel sites), and receives specimens to test from each site throughout the season. In addition, the providers report information regarding flu-like activity in patients coming to their medical practices.
Kansas is now reporting sporadic influenza activity to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“It’s still not too late to get the flu vaccine this year,” said Dr. Howard Rodenberg, KDHE Division of Health Director. “In Kansas, we typically see an increase in cases in January and that can continue into February and March.”
Rodenberg said the flu vaccine is about 80 percent effective, which means it is possible to get influenza after receiving the vaccine, but when illness occurs symptoms are usually less severe and complications less frequent.
“The flu shot cannot cause the flu,” said Dr. Gail Hansen, KDHE State Epidemiologist. “And since the vaccine wears off and the circulating influenza viruses change over time, yearly vaccinations are recommended, especially for those at high risk of complications.”
The following individuals are considered high-risk:
* ?People 50 years of age and older
* ?Children ages 6 months to 59 months
* ?Adults and children with chronic lung or heart disorders including heart disease or asthma
* ?Pregnant women
* ?Adults and children with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney diseases, blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia), weakened immune systems (including persons with HIV/AIDS) or any condition that can compromise respiratory function or that increases the risk of aspiration
* ?Children and teenagers, 6 months to 18 years of age, who take aspirin daily
* ?Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
* ?Persons who live with or care for persons at high risk for influenza-related complications, including healthy household contacts and caregivers of children ages 0-59 months
* ?Healthcare workers
Other vaccination recommendations:
“A critical component to help you prevent getting the flu or spreading the flu is hand washing,” Hansen said.. “That means rubbing your hands together for 20 seconds under warm water with soap.”
Steps the public can take to avoid catching or spreading the flu:
*?Proper and frequent hand washing with soap and warm water.
*?Stay home from school or work when sick.
*?Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
*?Eat healthy foods, stay active, avoid tobacco products and get plenty of rest.
For more information regarding flu vaccine and steps you can take to protect yourself from the flu go to:
www.kdheks.gov
.