JULIE: PEDIATRICIAN DR. APRIL MATTINGLY SEES KIDS EVERY DAY AT NORTON CHILDREN’S CRESTWOOD OFFICE, AND WITH FOUR CONFIRMED CASES ALREADY REPORTED IN OLDHAM COUNTY, SHE’S PREPARING FOR A BUSY FEW MONTH >> TO SEE THAT THIS EARLY IN THE YEAR IS CONCERNING THAT WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY ROUGH FLU SEASON JULIE: THE CDC RECOMMENDS THAT PEOPLE GET FLU VACCINES BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH. AND AFTER A SLIGHT DELAY IN DISTRIBUTION THIS YEAR, MATTINGLY SAYS MOST MEDICAL OFFICES AND PHARMACIES SHOULD BE STOCKE >> LAST YEAR, THE MOST PREDOMINANT STRAINS WERE A STRAINS, BUT THEY CAME IN TWO DIFFERENT WAVES. SO THE H1N1 WAVE HIT BEFORE THE H3N2 WAVE, SO THAT’S WHY THIS YEAR’S VACCINE WAS A LITTLE DELAYED, SO HOPEFULLY WE’LL GET BETTER COVERAGE JULIE: SHE SAYS ITS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR BABIES, THE ELDERLY AND KIDS WHO HAVE OTHER HEALTH ISSUES, LIKE ASTHMA OR HEART PROBLEMS. >> WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT OF THE 116 PEDIATRIC DEATHS LAST YEAR FROM FLU, ABOUT 70% WERE NOT VACCINATED. SO THAT TELLS ME THE FLU SHOT IS WORKING JULIE: SHE SAYS EVEN IF YOU GE THE FLU, THAT VACCINE IS STI EFFECTIVE, EASING SYMPTOMS AND THE DURATION OF ILLNESS. HERE’S A LOOK AT CONFIRMED CASES FROM SOME OF OUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT LOUISVILLE AND OLDHAM COUNTY BOTH HAVE FOUR CASES, SHELBY AND SPENCER COUNTIES ARE BOTH REPORTING ONE, HENRY, TRIMBLE, CLARK AND FLOYD COUNTIES ARE REPORTING ZERO, THOUGH INDIANA NUMBERS DO NOT GET REPORTED DIRECTLY TO COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. MATTINGLY SAYS TO WATCH OUT FOR A HIGH FEVER, SORE THR
Kentucky health officials confirm first 4 flu-related deaths of season
Officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health are reporting the first four flu-related deaths of the season. In addition to the four flu-related deaths of the 2019-2020 season, officials are reporting 1,622 laboratory-confirmed flu cases in regions across the state since Aug. 4.Officials said flu activity is being raised to “widespread,” the highest flu activity level indicating increased flu cases or flu outbreaks in at least half of the commonwealth’s regions.“We extend our condolences to the families who have suffered losses during this flu season,” said Dr. Angela Dearinger, Commissioner of DPH. “These personal losses are a reminder for all of us that flu can be a serious illness, for young and old alike, and we strongly encourage people to protect themselves by getting a flu vaccination. This is especially important for children and adults at high risk for complications related to the flu. Stay at home if you have the flu or flu-like symptoms and to avoid contact with others.”Infection with the flu virus can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches. Flu can be very contagious, officials said. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective, so it is very important to get the flu shot as soon as possible.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends flu vaccine for all those six months of age and older. The flu vaccine has been changed to better protect against the types of flu that were seen last season, officials said. Both the CDC and manufacturers of the flu vaccine report that there are no shortages of vaccine. Vaccination can be given any time during the flu season, but providers are encouraged to administer the vaccine as soon as possible. Medicaid, Medicare and most private health insurance providers cover flu vaccination as a preventive service. For more information on influenza or the availability of flu vaccine, Kentuckians should contact their primary care medical provider or local health department. Influenza information is also available online at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm.
Officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health are reporting the first four flu-related deaths of the season. In addition to the four flu-related deaths of the 2019-2020 season, officials are reporting 1,622 laboratory-confirmed flu cases in regions across the state since Aug. 4.
Officials said flu activity is being raised to “widespread,” the highest flu activity level indicating increased flu cases or flu outbreaks in at least half of the commonwealth’s regions.“We extend our condolences to the families who have suffered losses during this flu season,” said Dr. Angela Dearinger, Commissioner of DPH. “These personal losses are a reminder for all of us that flu can be a serious illness, for young and old alike, and we strongly encourage people to protect themselves by getting a flu vaccination. This is especially important for children and adults at high risk for complications related to the flu. Stay at home if you have the flu or flu-like symptoms and to avoid contact with others.”Infection with the flu virus can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches. Flu can be very contagious, officials said. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective, so it is very important to get the flu shot as soon as possible.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends flu vaccine for all those six months of age and older. The flu vaccine has been changed to better protect against the types of flu that were seen last season, officials said. Both the CDC and manufacturers of the flu vaccine report that there are no shortages of vaccine. Vaccination can be given any time during the flu season, but providers are encouraged to administer the vaccine as soon as possible. Medicaid, Medicare and most private health insurance providers cover flu vaccination as a preventive service. For more information on influenza or the availability of flu vaccine, Kentuckians should contact their primary care medical provider or local health department. Influenza information is also available online at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm.
