Nov. 25--Several health organizations have indicated that the current wave of the H1N1, or swine flu, virus peaked in October, but the Green River District Health Department is warning area residents to still get vaccinated and not let their guard down.
"We saw the greatest peak of flu activity in mid- to late October," said Janie Cambron, regional epidemiologist with GRDHD.
"As far as state school closures and influenza activity in hospitals, schools and physicians' offices, it looks like the H1N1 flu is on the downslope, but we still have widespread activity."
Cambron said seasonal flu ranges from October to May with peak activity in December, January and February. But swine flu is a new, unpredictable animal.
"Most pandemics have two or three waves, so we're anticipating seeing another peak, but we're not sure when or how severe it's going to be," she said.
The swine flu had its first wave in the spring and a second one in the fall.
"Most sources point to having another increase," Cambron said. "We still want everybody to get their vaccinations so they can be protected."
There have been 29 swine flu-related deaths in Kentucky, but none in the GRDHD region. Across the United States, there have been 22,364 hospitalizations and 877 deaths from Aug. 30 to Nov. 7.
There have been 302 schools that have closed for at least one day in the state, with only one -- Henderson County -- in the GRDHD region. The majority of school closures were in the eastern and central parts of the state.
Swine flu vaccinations are still available for specific target groups -- pregnant women, children between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, caregivers of those who are 6 months old and younger, health care workers, emergency service workers who are in direct patient contact, and those between the ages of 25-64 who have medical conditions that would put them at high risk for flu complications, such as kidney or heart disease.
Cambron said that with Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings approaching, people should still take health practices by washing hands frequently, covering coughs or staying home when sick to avoid the spread of germs.
"If you're sick, you don't want to be around other people and get them sick," she said. "I'm sure they'll understand."
Thus far, four seasonal flu cases have been confirmed by state health officials in Frankfort.
Rich Suwanski, 691-7315, rsuwanski@messenger-inquirer.com
-----
To see more of the Messenger-Inquirer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.messenger-inquirer.com.
Copyright (c) 2009, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.