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October 30, 2003 Contact: Bonnie Widerburg (503) 731-4180 Technical Contact: Fred Hoesly (503) 731-4024 Flu arrives in Oregon Oregons first culture-confirmed influenza case for the current flu season has been reported by Providence Portland Medical Center, according to public health officials at the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The case of influenza A occurred in a Multnomah County adult. The flu has arrived in the Northwest earlier than usual this year, said Mel Kohn, M.D., state epidemiologist in DHS. Our best advice is, get your flu shot. This applies most urgently to people at higher risk of complications from influenza. However, because vaccine supplies are plentiful, anyone who wants to avoid the flu should go ahead and take advantage of the many vaccination clinics that are occurring around the state. Influenza usually appears in Oregon in late November or early December, Kohn said. High-risk individuals are people who are in or come in contact with persons in these high-risk categories: • Anyone age 50 or older, residents of nursing or other long-term care facilities, anyone age 6 months and older with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, renal disease and immune deficiencies; children under 19 who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy; and women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season; • Healthy children ages 6 to 23 months; • All people who live, work or provide care to high-risk persons listed above. This includes household members, health care providers, employees of nursing homes and care facilities; providers of home care and day care for high-risk persons and young children. Parents and caregivers of infants up to 6 months are especially encouraged to get a flu shot. Healthy persons who want to avoid the flu or who simply wish to do their part to reduce transmission should also be immunized. Influenza is characterized by abrupt onset of high fever, headache, sore throat, cough and muscle aches. Other respiratory infections that can be confused with influenza are usually milder and are more likely to start with sore throat, sneezing, runny nose and slight fever. To find out about flu shot clinics in your area, call 1-800-SAFENET. Information about influenza can be found on the Web. |
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