(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - There are thirteen confirmed influenza cases to date with results pending on an additional fifteen.

“I expect more than half of these will be confirmed as flu,” said Pamela Standley RN, the Infection Preventionist at Ketchikan Medical Center (KMC). “The predominate strain this season appears to be the pandemic H1N1 strain, sometimes knows as the ‘swine flu’, that arose in 2009. All known identified cases in Ketchikan are the 2009 H1N1 strain”.

Most forms of flu occur in older adults but H1N1 disproportionately affects children and young and middle-aged adults although severe illness has been seen in all age groups. Annual vaccinations have proven to be effective in prevention and, although flu season is underway, it is not too late to get a flu shot.

Protection against H1N1 is included in the current vaccine. Locally vaccinations are available at some pharmacies, from primary care providers and at Ketchikan Public Health. Public Health is waiving the administration fee in some instances The Centers for Disease Control recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone six months and older.

Some laboratory tests for influenza in Ketchikan are sent to the Alaska Department of Health to confirm the flu. Thirty eight percent of specimens tested for influenza were positive but that number is likely higher. “The rapid influenza test has not been very successful at detecting the predominant H1N1 strain this year,” said Standley. “We did get back negative test results for some that were later confirmed to be influenza.”

Influenza season for the Medical Center is declared when this threshold rises above twenty percent and there is an increase in local community Influenza like Illness.

“Influenza is contagious,” said Standley, “but there are ways to minimize the risk of spreading or getting the disease. If you are ill, do not go to work or school. Stay home if you suspect you have a contagious illness, including influenza. Cover your cough, ideally with your inner elbow. Wash your hands after coughing if you covered with a tissue or with your hands and practice good hand hygiene frequently by either using hand sanitizer or by washing with soap and water.”

Source of News: 

PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center
www.peacehealth.org/ketchikan

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