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With Mardi Gras season already geared up and more cold weather expected to come, Louisiana health officials say people who have not yet received flu inoculation should do so now.
They say it is in no way too late.
Flu occurrences in Louisiana are low so far during this winter season. But Dr. Frank Welch, medical director for the Department of Health and Hospitals immunization program, says that doesn’t mean the threat is over. Carnival time, he noted in an interview, presents its own set of challenges because large groups of people tend to congregate indoors, increasing the chance of a viral spread. And even in a good year, which this one appears thus to be, between 400 and 600 people die of flu-related illness in Louisiana.
“What concerns me is I think winter is still on its way and school has started again,” Welch said. “Our experience here mirrors the rest of the country. People who are ill or infirm tend to get their flu shots as well as school aged children. But it is young, healthy adults who don’t get their flu shot.”
Welch said that means those people – even if not critically affected by a bout with the flu – can still spread the virus to more vulnerable populations.
“A young, healthy adult may think it’s just a cold or may not get that sick and they are the ones going to class, going to the grocery store, continuing their day-to-day activities and spreading the flu around,” Welch said.
Flu surveillance so far has shown that in Louisiana – as in most of the rest of the country – about 2 percent, or two out of every 100 people showing up at emergency rooms or doctor offices complaining about flu-like symptoms. These include aches, fever, coughs and congestion.
The good news, Welch said, is that this year’s batches of vaccine are a good match for strains of influenza making the rounds. Immunity, he notes, will continue for six to nine months, for those who avail themselves of the shot.
In addition to vaccines, Welch said, people need to follow basic infectious disease-thwarting behaviors including frequent hand-washing, and not covering up when coughing.
“Stand away from sick people and if you are sick please stay home from work or school,” Welch said. “These things protect from all colds, all airborne diseases, not just the flu.” •
