1st confirmed flu case in Delaware
A 26-year-old New Castle County man who was not vaccinated is the first confirmed influenza case in Delaware this season, according to the state Division of Public Health.
The man visited an emergency room Oct.8, but was not hospitalized and is now recovering at home, the division said Friday. According to the hospital report, he did not have any underlying conditions such as diabetes or lung problems. Such conditions make people more at risk for flu-related complications. He contracted H1N1, a typical type A influenza, said Emily Knearl, chief of risk communications for the division.
Last year's flu season, which ended in May, saw close to 2,400 medically confirmed cases of the flu and 28 deaths, the highest in five years. Most were the result of a mutated H3N2 influenza A strain that was not covered by last year's flu vaccine.
This year's vaccine is expected to be more effective, protecting against an an H1N1-like virus, A/California/7/2009, a H3N2-like strain called A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 and the influenza B virus, B/Phuket/3073/2013.
Another flu vaccine known as the quadrivalent vaccine, because it protects against four strains, adds protection against an additional influenza B virus, B/Brisbane/60/2008. They are available in an intramuscular shot or nasal mist for children under age 9.
Last year's first flu case, a 2-year-old from Sussex County, was also confirmed in October.
You can get the flu shot through your medical provider, pharmacy, and in some grocery stores. The division especially urges that pregnant women and their families, caregivers, seniors, health care providers and those with compromised immune systems and chronic conditions get the shot. Risk of infection is lowered by washing hands.
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Free flu shots also will be distributed 2-7 p.m. Thursday at the Greenwood Fire Hall, 12611 Sussex Highway in Greenwood. Nurses will administer intramuscular flu shots to anyone over six months old.
Additional free clinics will be offered throughout New Castle and Kent counties:
- Thursday: Dutch Country Farmers Market, 701 N. Broad St., Middletown, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Thursday: Solid Rock Baptist Church, 113 N. West St., Dover, 6-8 p.m.
- Oct. 23, New Castle Farmers Market, 110 N. DuPont Hwy., New Castle, 3-6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 30, Spence’s Bazaar, 550 S. New St. Dover, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Nov. 3, YMCA, 1000 N. Walnut St., Wilmington, 10 a.m.-noon
- Nov. 18, Jesus Love Temple, 106 S. Walnut St., Milford 4-7 p.m.
For a list of state-run flu clinic schedules this season, visit dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/fluclinics.html.
Jen Rini can be reached at (302)324-2386 or jrini@delawareonline.com. Follow @JenRini on Twitter.