For Immediate Release:
Dec. 16, 2005

Contact:
Brian Quinn, Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

State Health Department Reports Season's First Confirmed Flu Cases
Handwashing Key to Preventing Spread of Flu During Holidays and Flu Season

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) today announced the first laboratory, viral culture-confirmed influenza cases of the 2005-06 winter season, according to Julia M. Eckstein, director of the state health department. On December 15, three cases of influenza were confirmed by Missouri’s State Public Health Laboratory. A case of influenza A was reported in an adult from northeast Missouri, and two cases of influenza B were reported in adults from central Missouri.

DHSS also emphasized that these cases are not Avian influenza, nor are they part of a wider influenza pandemic, but simply the beginning of Missouri’s annual flu season.

“We want to remind Missourians, especially those who are considered high risk for influenza complications, that there is plenty of time to get their flu shots,” said Eckstein. “More vaccine has become available in the past two weeks, and people should consult their private health care providers, local health departments, and local media to find out where shots are available.”

Manufacturers have supplied approximately 81 million doses of flu vaccine in the United States this season, equal to the most vaccine supplied in any season. However, until this month, many health care providers have had difficulty obtaining vaccine for their patients.

Persons who should be especially concerned about being vaccinated are:

• All children aged 6-23 months,
• Adults aged 65 years of age or older,
• Person aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions,
• All women who will be pregnant during influenza season,
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities,
• Children 6 months-18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy,
• Health care workers with direct patient care, and
• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months old.

Eckstein added that people over age 65 and those with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes should discuss obtaining pneumonia vaccine with their physicians. The vaccine is effective in preventing many types of pneumonia, the major complication from influenza.

Eckstein said that one of the easiest and most effective ways of protecting oneself and others against the spread of flu is as close as the nearest soap and water. Thorough handwashing has been proven to be highly effective at washing away the viruses that cause influenza and the common cold, as well as nearly a dozen other bacterial and viral infections.

Regular handwashing is the most important thing a person can do to keep from getting sick, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With large public gatherings at schools and churches, and as families travel and gather for the holidays, the risk of spreading bacterial and viral infections is even greater. Washing hands thoroughly and regularly is crucial to protecting oneself and others from illness.

“Through the holidays and as the cold and flu season approaches, we want to make sure people know how vital it is to wash their hands,” Eckstein said. “As simple as it sounds, washing your hands can prevent serious illness and even save lives.”

One of the most common ways people catch colds is by rubbing their nose or eyes after their hands have been contaminated with the cold virus, the CDC reports. In addition to colds and flu, other illnesses including hepatitis A, meningitis and infectious diarrhea can be prevented with regular handwashing.

According to the CDC, people should wash their hands:

• Before preparing or eating food
• After using the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the bathroom
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• After blowing your noise, coughing or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound

Basic handwashing guidelines include:

• Wet hands under clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if available.
• Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
• Continue to rub for 20 seconds.
• Rinse hands well under running water.
• Dry hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet.

“In less than half a minute and for less than a penny’s worth of soap and water, we can do our part to help prevent the spread of disease,” Eckstein said, “It’s time for everyone to get in the handwashing habit.”

More information about the importance of handwashing can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/. Information about the ASM’s Clean Hands Campaign can be found at http://www.washup.org.

For weekly reports and other useful influenza-related information, go to DHSS’s influenza web site at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Influenza; or go to CDC’s influenza web site at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.