YAKIMA — An unusual surge of influenza activity across the state is prompting more calls for those who are ill to stay home and those who aren’t to take extra precautions, such as getting a flu shot.
The number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths have increased sharply over the past several weeks, Washington State Department of Health officials said in a news release Friday.
While no flu-related deaths have been reported in Yakima County this year, flu cases are up in the past few weeks, said Nathan Johnson, the local emergency response coordinator and public information officer for the Yakima Health District.
“As of a couple weeks ago, we were sitting at about 59 positive influenza cases. That following week we increased to 148 positive influenza cases,” he said. “Prior to this, we thought we had hit our peak with 85 cases.”
Flu outbreaks are unpredictable, but this is “a little different,” Johnson added. “In past years we’ve seen it hit hard at the beginning of the season,” he said.
Medical facilities, schools and other public places are already taking precautions.
Earlier this week, Virginia Mason Memorial hospital barred those 12 and younger and those with flu-like symptoms from visiting patients. The restriction, announced in a news release Wednesday, is necessary because of high rates of flu cases, it said.
School districts are also experiencing increased absences, Johnson said. The health district has contacted school nurses with flu-related information to send to parents.
For example, the East Valley School District emailed parents about the increased number of absences due to the flu and urged them to keep children home if they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher, a cough and/or congestion, a sore throat and a headache and/or muscle aches.
And it’s not too late for a flu shot, Johnson said.
“The biggest thing we’re pushing is what we’ve pushed all year … getting the flu shot as soon as possible, washing your hands” and covering your cough and resting up if you are ill, he said.
“When you’re sick, stay at home,” he added.
Medical facilities throughout the state are seeing high numbers of patients for flu symptoms, but most healthy people who get the flu don’t need medical care in a facility, the news release noted.
“To make sure urgent care facilities and emergency rooms can treat other critical health conditions, we encourage people to learn which flu symptoms require emergency medical treatment,” said Dr. Scott Lindquist, the state epidemiologist for communicable diseases.
There is still time to get vaccinated, and it’s recommended for everyone 6 months of age and up, including pregnant women, state health officials said.
That’s especially important for people at increased risk for severe complications from the flu, and for health care providers who are in close contact with patients with suspected flu.
“Last year, the flu killed 296 people in Washington and thousands more were hospitalized — which is why you should get a new flu vaccine every year as soon as it’s available,” Lindquist said.
