More than 25 Kentuckians have died in the first half of the influenza season so far, a state health official said on Thursday (Jan. 8).
According to Dr. Kraig Humbaugh, Department for Public Health deputy commissioner, the season is only halfway through and already more deaths have been related to influenza than in the 2013-2014 season.
Kentucky has also seen a record five straight weeks ranked at widespread, the highest category for an illness, he said.
“We are not alone; many other states are also in the widespread category,” Humbaugh said.
According to area medical facilities and physicians’ offices, they are continuing to see a large number of flu symptom cases each day.
Numbers of flu cases may vary, based on reports from a select group of physicians offices and health departments. What may be posted as totals may be lower than actual numbers of cases, he said.
The flu has spread across the state, and is in a variety of locations, so actual county by county numbers have not been made available.
He emphasized responsible actions, including avoiding visiting long term care facilities to prevent exposing the residents or patients to the flu.
“They are some of the most vulnerable,” Humbaugh said, accounting for 64 outbreaks in long term care facilities and 19 of the current 26 known deaths related to the flu in Kentucky are in people 65 years old and up.
“Sixty-five percent of those were female,” he said.
So far two children under the age of 18-years-old; five people 18-64 years old; and 19 people 65 years-old and up, have died of the flu this season.
Humbaugh encouraged more people to get a flu shot, with so much chance of exposure yet to come.
“There are about 46 percent of Kentuckians getting vaccinated,” he said. “We would like to see 100 percent, especially in the risk groups of very young, older, pregnant and with underlying conditions.”
About two-thirds, or 70 percent, of Kentuckians 65 years old and up have been vaccinated, he said.
Humbaugh also addressed questions about shortages of anti-viral medications, specifically Tamiflu, stating there could be some spot shortages and distribution challenges, but the medications were available, he said.
According to several Maysville pharmacies, the ant-viral products available by prescription are usually readily available, but check with the pharmacy upfront.
To help prevent spreading or getting the flu, Humbaugh recommended frequent hand-washing.
“Remember what your mother taught you,” he said.
Also avoid large groups of people, sick people, continue precautions like sneezing or coughing in a way to cover the mouth, and use of disinfectant in areas where needed.
Humbaugh said he was optimistic the current season flu was not going to be as bad as the pandemic of 2009-2010.
In 2013-14 about 50 people died from influenza or because of it in Kentucky, he said.
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