Arkansas Health Officials Report Rise in H1N1

[tetano]

Just when you thought spring was officially here, parts of Arkansas receive another round of snowfall. Now, state health officials are warning of a spike in the number of H1N1 cases, as well.

Over the past two weeks, the Arkansas Department of Health reports seeing an increase of positive results for the H1N1 flu virus. This raises concern over the possibility that flu activity is making a comeback.

The state's infectious disease director, Dr. James Phillips is calling for Arkansans who haven't gotten one to go get their seasonal or H1N1 vaccination.

While it does come with a small charge, Phillips says the flu shot is still your best protection against an unpredictable strain with an unknown future.

For more information on flu shots in your area, visit www.healthyarkansas.com or call your local county health unit.

http://www.kfsm.com/marketplace/health/kfsm-healthwatch-h1n1-update,0,307373.story

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Arkansas Health Officials Report Rise in H1N1

Distribute (CDC monitoring emergency dept visits) shows rise in visits:

http://isds.cirg.washington.edu/distribute/countstimeseries.php?period=daily

[tetano]

Re: Arkansas Health Officials Report Rise in H1N1

H1N1 cases increase in Region 8

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) ? The H1N1 epidemic has been an issue worldwide. With the spring right around the corner, many people thought that the pandemic was in its final stages. "With a pandemic influenza you'll see a lot of add and flows as far as it coming back and then going away. Several cycles will occur. We're probably adding a third cycle now what we're seeing is some increase in flue activity especially here in this area, says Shane Speights, an assistant Professor of Medicine at UNMS. He has seen an increase in the number of H1N1 cases, "over the past three to four weeks we have seen an increase. I know in the out-patient clinics, as well as in the emergency department. We're seeing an increase in the number of flu positive patients coming in."

On the CDC web site a few weeks ago there was only sporadic activity noted in the Arkansas area, but that has not upgraded to local activity. Speights says, "These are patients that haven't had the flu yet this year and are now getting exposed to it this time."

It is now more important than ever to get the vaccine. Speight says the majority of the cases he has seen have been younger patients. Children under the age of nine are required to have to vaccine. They are also required to get a booster twenty-one to twenty-nine days after getting the initial shot. "Most of these children have maybe fallen to the side. Parents might have thought hey, now the flu season's over so we didn't really need this second injection. Nothing can be further from the truth," Speights says, "Get the vaccine. That is the best way to prevent the spread of influenza. That is the best way to keep you from getting sick."

http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=12191754

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Arkansas Health Officials Report Rise in H1N1

In above article, AR is listed as Region 8 (perhaps a sports designation?). CDC lists AR in Region 6; Missouri in Region 7. This article is referring to "Region 8 News serves NE Arkansas and SE Missouri from its KAIT-TV studios."

http://twitter.com/region8news