04 Nov 2009 |
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The state Department of Health Services shared its regular H1N1 situation report today and stressed the continued increase in doctor visits due to flu-like illness. Citing a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, state health experts said flu activity continues to grow and is widespread in 48 states. Visits to doctors for flu-like illnesses continue to increase steeply and have accounted for 8 percent of patient visits across the United States. In Wisconsin, flu activity is widespread as well, with 69 of the 72 counties reporting confirmed H1N1 cases. Since September 1, there have been 120 hospitalizations due to H1N1 virus infection across the state. In the last week, there have been two confirmed H1N1-related deaths reported in Rock and Kenosha counties, bringing the statewide death total to 16 since spring. There have been 74 pediatric deaths related to H1N1, state officials said, adding there were 117 pediatric deaths for the entire 2008-2009 influenza season. “Overall, the H1N1 (virus) … continues to accelerate,” said Seth Foldy, state health officer and administrator of the Division of Public Health for the State of Wisconsin. News of the spread, coupled with the continued shortage of H1N1 vaccine, is a source of frustration for many, said Ellen Roy, an infection preventionist at Bellin Health. “There isn’t a lot of vaccine right now, but there are a lot of people who want to be vaccinated,” she said. “It’s a challenge for patients who are told to wait for their eventual vaccination, while they are simultaneously being inundated with reports of vaccine shortages and growing numbers of people sick with flu-like symptoms.” It’s even more challenging when health care workers can’t give patients concrete answers about the availability of H1N1 vaccine, Roy said. “When we get our shipment, how many doses of H1N1 nasal mist will we have available? How much of the shot will we get? It’s tough to say,” she said. “The more our supplies begin arriving, the easier it will become for us to start targeting high-risk people for vaccination.” The CDC continues to stress there will be adequate supplies of H1N1 vaccine available for everyone who wants it, but it will, take longer time than previously projected for adequate supplies to become available. In the meantime, the public is advised to adopt such practices as: Covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; washing hands often with soap and warm water or using an alcohol-based hand rub; avoiding unnecessarily touching eyes, nose or mouth; and avoiding close contact with sick people if possible.
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