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Seasonal flu waits to show up this year
By TONY LEYS ? tleys@dmreg.com ? January 11, 2010
After suffering through two waves of H1N1 flu since last spring, Iowa is waiting to see how much misery will be caused by the new virus' seasonal, run-of-the-mill cousins.
By the end of last week, Iowa still had not seen any confirmed cases of seasonal flu this winter. That's unusual. The state's initial case last winter was reported on Dec. 10, 2008, and the viruses sometimes arrive here in November.
That doesn't mean we're out of the woods, though.
"We often see our first cases around early December, but it doesn't usually really get going until mid-January," said Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, Iowa's state epidemiologist.
Seasonal-flu viruses have cropped up in other states, and they should appear here soon, she said. It's hard to predict whether a late start to the season will mean Iowa will get off relatively easy this year.
Quinlisk said the recent blast of winter weather could help spark outbreaks of seasonal and H1N1 flu. The viruses thrive in cold, dry air, she said. Also, people tend to cluster together inside when it's blustery out, which gives the viruses opportunities to jump from one person to another.
Public-health leaders, trying to slow the spread of H1N1 flu, have bombarded Americans for months with reminders to wash their hands, cover their coughs and stay home if they're ill. The public also has been cajoled to seek flu vaccinations.
Quinlisk said she hopes those public-relations efforts also help slow the spread of seasonal flu.
Clinics and drug stores saw unusually early demand for seasonal-flu shots last fall, apparently due to publicity about the flu in general. Some providers have run out of the seasonal vaccine, but others, including the Polk County Health Department, are still offering it.
The H1N1 vaccine, which was in short supply a couple of months ago, is now readily available. Although H1N1 cases have waned across the country, doctors worry that a third wave of the disease could appear soon. They're urging anyone who hasn't been vaccinated to get it done now. Iowans looking for the H1N1 vaccine are urged to call their county health departments, which are overseeing distribution.
By TONY LEYS ? tleys@dmreg.com ? January 11, 2010
After suffering through two waves of H1N1 flu since last spring, Iowa is waiting to see how much misery will be caused by the new virus' seasonal, run-of-the-mill cousins.
By the end of last week, Iowa still had not seen any confirmed cases of seasonal flu this winter. That's unusual. The state's initial case last winter was reported on Dec. 10, 2008, and the viruses sometimes arrive here in November.
That doesn't mean we're out of the woods, though.
"We often see our first cases around early December, but it doesn't usually really get going until mid-January," said Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, Iowa's state epidemiologist.
Seasonal-flu viruses have cropped up in other states, and they should appear here soon, she said. It's hard to predict whether a late start to the season will mean Iowa will get off relatively easy this year.
Quinlisk said the recent blast of winter weather could help spark outbreaks of seasonal and H1N1 flu. The viruses thrive in cold, dry air, she said. Also, people tend to cluster together inside when it's blustery out, which gives the viruses opportunities to jump from one person to another.
Public-health leaders, trying to slow the spread of H1N1 flu, have bombarded Americans for months with reminders to wash their hands, cover their coughs and stay home if they're ill. The public also has been cajoled to seek flu vaccinations.
Quinlisk said she hopes those public-relations efforts also help slow the spread of seasonal flu.
Clinics and drug stores saw unusually early demand for seasonal-flu shots last fall, apparently due to publicity about the flu in general. Some providers have run out of the seasonal vaccine, but others, including the Polk County Health Department, are still offering it.
The H1N1 vaccine, which was in short supply a couple of months ago, is now readily available. Although H1N1 cases have waned across the country, doctors worry that a third wave of the disease could appear soon. They're urging anyone who hasn't been vaccinated to get it done now. Iowans looking for the H1N1 vaccine are urged to call their county health departments, which are overseeing distribution.
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