UPDATE: The flu has officially reached widespread activity in most states. What does "widespread" mean? It means that more than 50% of geographic regions in a state, counties for example, are reporting flu activity.
Just ten states have yet to reach widespread status: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Vermont. Only Hawaii is in a “safe zone,” reporting sporadic activity. Why some states are hit harder than others is unclear. So far, California has been the hardest hit area with a reported 146 deaths in the week ending January 25, and 50 more projected for the week ending February 1. To give you an idea how this year’s flu differs from last year’s, this time last year only nine deaths had been reported.
It’s also not apparent if the flu has peaked for the current 2013–2014 season. Typically, we see the season peak in January or early February, but thus far reports show only growing cases. Some sources have started rumoring flu cases are slowing down, but no one is saying we’ve finally made it over the hurdle. Looks like we’ll be stocking up on tissues, cough syrup, and fever medicine for a few more weeks.
H1N1, also known as the Swine Flu, is back again. And, just like in 2009, it’s targeting the elderly, infants, and younger adults. Years when H1N1 is the predominate strand there are more fatalities—even though it has been included in flu shots since 2009 when it reached pandemic status.
Medical researchers claim that younger adults are less likely to get vaccinated. Researcher's assume that this contributes to their demographic being the hardest hit this year. (Typically the flu affects the very young and the elderly the greatest.) Another theory sparking conversation across news sources is that H1N1 is closely related to the flu strain that circulated from 1918-1957. Researchers believe older adults living through those years might be immune the strain we so lovingly refer to as Swine Flu. So far, 61.6% of influenza-associated hospitalizations have been in those aged 18-64.
The CDC says it’s not too late to get vaccinated. If the flu hasn’t already spread though your school’s hallways, remind faculty and staff of the H1N1 risks. Yes, there are health risks to receiving the flu shot. Some of which might have scared the working age from heading out to their doctor’s office or a vaccination clinic with their sleeves rolled up and children in hand. But, we must remember there are risks to all medications—including pain relievers. When weighing the risks of H1N1 to the vaccination’s risks, the CDC warns us that facing the flu season unprepared is the chancier of choices.
Additional ISM articles of interest
ISM Monthly Update for Risk Managers Vol. 4 No. 5 Protecting Yourself From What Everyone Else Is Sharing: Sniffles, Sneezes, and Coughs
ISM Monthly Update for Business Managers Vol. 11 No. 5 Holistic Flu and Cold Prevention
ISM Monthly Update for Division Heads Vol. 10 No. 5 You and the Flu: What To Know and Do
ISM Monthly Update for Division Heads Vol. 10 No. 5 Drink Up!
