Flu sickens many more than Ebola, enterovius D68

Viruses have been a hot topic across the country this fall.

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa and subsequent cases in the U.S. have captured the public’s attention and raised concerns about the virus spreading here. A nationwide outbreak of enterovirus D68 has sickened hundreds and led to the hospitalization of children with respiratory complications.

In addition to getting flu shots, health officials recommend these everyday practices to reduce the chance of catching or spreading the flu:

o If you are sick with flulike illness, stay home and limit contact with others.

o Cough or sneeze into your arm or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue.

o Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

o Avoid close contact with sick people.

o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Flu vaccines

o Local health care providers and pharmacies offer flu shots.

o Those without insurance can call Sea Mar Community Health Centers at 360-852-9070 or the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington at 360-313-1390 to make an appointment for a low-cost flu shot.

o Legacy Health is offering free flu shots on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The vaccine clinic is 3 to 7 p.m. at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, 2211 N.E. 139th St. in Salmon Creek. The free shots are for anyone 6 months or older and will be available while supplies last.

But Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer, says there’s another virus getting lost in the hype around enterovirus D68 and Ebola. A virus that kills more people each year in the U.S. than the other two viruses have. A virus that, unlike the other two, has a vaccine readily available.

That virus is influenza, the seasonal flu.

“People get worked up about Ebola but don’t get their flu shots,” Melnick said. “I want people to take flu seriously enough that they get their flu shots.”

The risk of contracting Ebola is extremely low — though, Melnick points out, the county has been working with local hospitals and physicians to ensure the local health care system is prepared to respond to a case should one arrive in Clark County.

“I really want to reassure the public that the risk of Ebola is remote — remote is an understatement,” Melnick said.

And health officials across the country expect enterovirus D68 cases to begin to drop off soon.

Enterovirus D68 is one of more than 100 enteroviruses but has been rarely reported in the U.S. for the last 40 years. This year, though, enterovirus D68 has been the most common type identified, leading to increases in illnesses among children and affecting those with asthma most severely, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Washington health officials have reported cases of enterovirus D68, and, as of Oct. 18, Washington is one of eight states reporting elevated levels of enterovirus illness. But no cases have been confirmed in Clark County, Melnick said.

Illness activity is expected to decline by late fall, according to the CDC.

Flu season, however, is just beginning, Melnick said.

Flu activity in Clark County, the state and across the country is still low. The last couple of years, local flu activity has picked up in late November and early December. Local flu activity has been highest in late December and January, though it can peak as late as March and April, as it did a few years ago, according to county flu data.

“Every year is different,” Melnick said. “We can’t predict when it will start circulating, which means this is a really good time to get vaccinated.”

Health officials recommend influenza vaccines for everyone 6 months and older. It’s especially important that people at greatest risk of complications — young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older and people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease and long-term health conditions — get vaccinated, according to health officials.

Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration work together to develop a vaccine that protects against three or four strains of the disease predicted to circulate the most.

Injected flu shots use inactive, or dead, strains of the disease. Healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 also have the option of receiving a nasal mist version of the vaccine, which uses live, but weakened, strains of the disease.

The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent influenza, Melnick said.

On average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications each year and nearly 24,000 die from the virus, according to health officials. Last flu season, four Clark County residents died from influenza.

“Influenza is not a cold,” Melnick said. “It’s a serious infection.”