Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Reports
Season's First Laboratory-confirmed Influenza Cases

For Immediate Release:
January 2, 2003

Contact:
Liz Kliethermes, Nurse Consultant
Division of Environmental Health and
Communicable Disease Prevention
573-751-6113

OR

Libby Landrum, Influenza Coordinator
Division of Environmental Health and
Communicable Disease Prevention
573-751-6113


Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Reports
Season's First Laboratory-confirmed Influenza Cases

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) today announced it has received reports on the first laboratory-confirmed influenza cases of the 2002-2003 winter season, according to Ron Cates, interim director of the department. On December 31, two viral culture-confirmed cases of influenza B were reported on two children from northwest Missouri. The tests were conducted at the state public health laboratory in Jefferson City and reported to DHSS upon confirmation.

Last year's influenza season was considered moderate, with a total of 4,115 lab-confirmed cases reported. The first case was reported January 17 with the last case reported June 14. Of all cases reported last season, 41 percent were Type A, five percent were type B, and the remaining 54 percent were diagnosed by the influenza rapid test, which only shows a positive for influenza but not the specific type.

According to Cates, it is important to note that about 68 percent of confirmed flu cases last year were 19 years old or younger. More importantly, 42 percent of those cases occurred in children less than five years old. Influenza-like illness spreads quickly through schools and can cause school closings because of high absenteeism; last year six school closings were reported. Cates said the high rate of influenza transmission and its impact on young people underscore the importance of getting the flu vaccination as early in the season as possible. This year DHSS is encouraging parents of young children to have them vaccinated for influenza, especially those with asthma and other chronic respiratory problems. Children aged six to 23 months are at a greatly increased risk for flu-related hospitalizations, therefore, flu vaccinations of all children in this age group should be encouraged whenever possible.

The annual influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza. Though the best time to get the flu shot is October and November, it is not too late to get the shot now. The vaccination can still be effective in preventing the flu, even when influenza has already been reported in the community. Last season influenza activity peaked the third week in February. Historically, influenza rates do not return to normal levels until mid May.

"Elderly persons, the very young, and those with underlying health problems are at increased risk for complications of influenza and should be vaccinated," said Cates. "Vaccination is also recommended for those who live with or provide care for persons at high risk of influenza complications: physicians, nurses, and other health care personnel and especially employees of nursing homes and chronic-care facilities who have contact with patients; home health workers, volunteers, and household members."

Those persons who still wish to be vaccinated should contact their health care provider as soon as possible. It takes ten days to two weeks after vaccination to develop full protection from the flu.

Any person, older than six months of age, who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza, should receive the vaccine. Persons who provide essential services should consider vaccination to minimize disruption of essential services during influenza outbreaks. College students or other persons in institutional settings are encouraged to receive the vaccine to minimize the disruption of routine activities. Women who will be in their second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season should consider getting the flu shot.

Influenza, or the "flu", is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract and is spread by direct contact with an infected person or by airborne droplets. Influenza typically causes more severe illness than the common cold. Common symptoms include abrupt onset of fever and extreme fatigue, often accompanied by cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Persons are most infectious during the 24 hours before symptoms develop and can be infectious for about seven days. The incubation period, the time from when the virus enters the body until symptoms appear, is usually one to three days.

Treatment for uncomplicated influenza includes bed rest, adequate fluid intake, relief of cough and sore throat symptoms, and aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce fever. Most people recover completely in one to two weeks. Some people, however, develop serious and potentially life threatening medical complications from influenza illness. Aspirin or other salicylates should never be given to children with influenza due to the risk of Reye Syndrome.
Complications from influenza can occur at any age; however, the elderly and people with chronic health problems are more likely to develop serious complications. In an average year, influenza is associated with about 20,000 deaths nationwide and many more hospitalizations.