For Immediate Release:

November 12, 2003

Contact:

Libby Landrum, Influenza Coordinator

Division of Environmental Health and

Communicable Disease Prevention

573-751-6439

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Reports

Season’s First Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Case

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) today announced it has received a report on the first laboratory-viral culture confirmed influenza case of the 2003-2004 winter season, according to Libby Landrum, Influenza Coordinator for the department. On October 27, 2003, a viral, culture-confirmed case of influenza B was reported in an adult from the St. Louis area of Missouri. The test was conducted at a private hospital laboratory in St. Louis. The sample has been sent to the State Public Health Laboratory for further testing and will be forwarded to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta for tests to determine the type of influenza.

Last year’s influenza season was considered moderate to severe, with 4,318 lab-confirmed cases reported. The first viral culture confirmed case was reported December 31, 2002, with the last viral culture confirmed case reported April 18, 2003. Of all cases reported last season, 12 percent were Type A, 25 percent were type B, and the remaining 63 percent were diagnosed by the influenza rapid test, which only shows a positive for influenza but not the specific type.

This year DHSS is encouraging parents of young children to have them vaccinated for influenza, especially those with asthma and other chronic respiratory, cardiac, or immune system problems. Children under 23 months of age are at a greatly increased risk for flu-related hospitalizations. While the vaccine is not approved for children less than six months of age, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) encourages parents to obtain the vaccine for all children six to 23 months old.

According to Landrum, it is important to note that about 82 percent of confirmed flu cases last year were in persons 19 years old or younger. More importantly, 33 percent of the cases occurred in children less than five years old, and 13 percent of the cases occurred in children less than two years old. Influenza-like illness spreads quickly through schools and can cause school closings because of high absenteeism. Last year 205 school closings were reported in Missouri. Dunn 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.

The annual influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza. The best time to get the flu shot is in October and November, but the vaccine can be effective any time through the flu season, even when influenza has already been reported in the community. It takes ten days to two weeks after vaccination to develop full protection from the flu. Last season influenza activity peaked the fourth week in January. 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 Landrum. “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.”

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 also 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 four 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. Influenza is annually associated with about 36,000 deaths and more than 100,000 hospitalizations nationwide.

People who are interested in obtaining influenza immunizations should call their physician’s office, their local health department, or consult local newspapers and other news media for information on the availability of the vaccine. The CDC has announced that flu vaccine will be plentiful this season and should be readily available.

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