Death toll from flu in Delaware continues to climb
The state reported three more people have died from the flu, raising Delaware death toll this season to 14, more than double the number who died all of last year.
Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf called the number of deaths "unprecedented compared to recent years." The number of lab-confirmed flu cases in the state also rose to nearly 1,530 statewide, her department said late Thursday.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones this flu season," Landgraf said in a statement, adding that the deaths have state officials "extremely concerned."
Eleven of the deaths were in New Castle County, with one in Kent County and two in Sussex County, health officials said.
In the 2013-14 season, six Delawareans died of the flu, up two from the previous season. The state recorded no flu deaths in the 2011-12 flu season. In 2010-11 five Delawareans died of the flu and in the 2009-10 season, there were seven flu deaths statewide.
All those who have died this flu season were over age 70, except for one who was 53 and the most-recently confirmed death of a 67-year-old, Emily Knearl, the health division's section chief of Health and Risk Communication told The News Journal.
All had underlying medical conditions, she said.
So far, division officials say, influenza A (H3N2) viruses are occurring most frequently, compared to other strains. They say influenza A (H3N2) tends to produce "more hospitalizations and deaths, especially among those at highest risk of complications from flu infection" compared to other strains.
"The elderly are especially vulnerable this flu season and we urge people to take extra precautions to reduce any possible exposure to the flu virus," Landgraf said.
Five of those who died were in long-term care facilities, Knearl said, and nine were not. Other circumstances also varied, they said.
"This year, the flu is causing serious illness and fatalities among seniors regardless of whether someone lives at home or in long-term care, their type of underlying health condition, or geographic location," Dr. Karyl Rattay, public health director, said in a statement.
"The flu can be particularly hard on the elderly and other vulnerable people every year, but extra precautions to protect people's health is more important now than ever," Rattay said. "Someone can accidentally transmit the flu prior to realizing they are ill, so precautions like vaccination, covering coughs and sneezes, and hand sanitizing are vital.
"Of course, once symptoms begin to show, staying home to avoid further spread of the illness is also important," she added. "Prevention remains our best weapon in this fight."
Health officials also warn that, in addition to senior citizens, the most-vulnerable include very young children, pregnant women, woman who recently gave birth and people with conditions such as weakened immune systems, heart or lung disease and diabetes.
Anyone with those conditions should seek immediate medical care as soon as flu symptoms surface, they said. Anti-viral medications may need to be prescribed to lessen the severity and duration of the illness – and are most effective when taken as symptoms first occur.
It is possible for someone to come down with two flu strains a season, so getting that flu shot is paramount, health officials say.
You can get the flu shot at your local pharmacy, primary care provider or through a state-sponsored clinic. Clinics are for those without insurance, but organizers will accept Medicaid, Medicare and outside insurance. Insurers will be billed accordingly. Donations are accepted for those that do not have Medicaid or Medicare.
Contact robin brown at (302) 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com. Find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @rbrowndelaware.
Protecting the elderly and vulnerable
State flu vaccination clinics
Through Jan. 29:
Hudson State Service Center, 501 Ogletown Road, Newark – Weekdays by appointment, call (302) 283-7587
Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover – 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday by appointment, call (302) 857-5130
Milford State Service Center, 253 N.E. Front St., Milford – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday by appointment, call (302) 424-7130
Adams State Service Center, 544 S. Bedford St., Georgetown – 9-11 a.m. Mondays only, walk-ins welcome
Shipley State Service Center, 350 Virginia Ave., Seaford – 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays only, walk-ins welcome
Prevention tips
Delaware's Division of Public Health on Thursday offered these flu-prevention tips:
• Ensure all your loved ones are vaccinated against the illness. Vaccines are available from Division of Public Health clinics, physicians, pharmacies and many grocery stores.
• If you are receiving treatment in a long-term care facility or in-home care, ask if the staff is vaccinated against the flu and, if not, the staff person should be wearing a mask at all times.
■ Visits at home or in a facility should be limited if the visitor is under age 16, has the flu or is at risk of exposure to the flu. The illness can be transmitted prior to someone showing symptoms.
• If living with a senior and a family member contracts the flu, keep the two separate as much as possible and ensure everyone in the home follows sanitary precautions.
• Wash hands frequently with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after you cough, sneeze or touch your face.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow. Droplets from a sneeze can travel up to 6 feet.
• Stay home when sick and do not return to work or school until 24 hours after a fever is gone.
Flu symptoms
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue – or combinations of those symptoms.
For more information
To learn more about the flu and state-sponsored flu clinics, visit flu.delaware.gov or call (800) 282-8672.