Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

Malad Long-Term Care Facility under quarantine


March 28, 2012
By admin

Quality Assurance Manager at the Oneida County Hospital, Colleen Montgomery, indicated in a press release on Tuesday that the Long-Term Care Facility at the Oneida County Hospital is closed to visitors and is under partial quarantine. The hospital and ER, however, are open for business. Hospital managers are asking that the public wear masks when coming to the hospital, which will be provided them at the front desk.
“Some residents of the Long-Term Care are showing symptoms of Influenza A,” states Montgomery. “The decision was made to close the Long-Term Care to the public to protect the residence and to stop the spread of the virus in the facility,” she said.
Oneida County residents need to be made aware that signs of the influenza are also in the community. Montgomery suggested that people watch for the symptoms, which are respiratory in nature – running a fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Some patients are also having signs of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, all with a rapid onset. “If you think you are coming down with the flu, call your provider with a list of your symptoms,” she said. “At that point your provider can indicate what you should do. She warned that if you do have the symptoms, do not go to school, do not go to church or to any other function where there are groups of people.”

http://www.idahoenterprise.com/?p=175

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Note that the week 12 FluView lists Idaho and Oregon as the two states with the highest ILI activity.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

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William "Bill" Kuhnen
William "Bill" Kuhnen Jr died early Wednesday December 5 2012,at the Idaho State Veterans Home, due to complications from Parkinson disease, leukemia and in his last days pneumonia and the flu. He was 84 years old.

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/idahos ... rylink=cpy

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BOISE - Since Oct. 1, eight flu-related deaths have been reported in Idaho.

Idaho medical providers and hospitals have been reporting an increase in visits for influenza-like respiratory illnesses across the state, with the 2012-2013 influenza season shaping up to be more serious than the past several years, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Officials add that some hospitals in Idaho are reporting that emergency rooms are seeing more patients that need to be treated for common flu symptoms.

All eight of the Idaho deaths have been in people older than 50, with Idaho typically seeing about a dozen influenza-related deaths each year. The last severe season was 2003-2004, in which 28 influenza-related deaths were reported.

"The influenza vaccine is the best protection for you and your family," says Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, deputy state epidemiologist. "The vaccine appears to be well-matched to the dominant flu strains circulating. If you have not been vaccinated, please don't wait any longer."

People who are at higher risk for complications from the flu or severe symptoms should consult with their healthcare provider within the first 48 hours of illness to see if the use of antiviral medications might be right for them.

http://www.ktvq.com/news/idaho-logs-eig ... ed-deaths/

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Aches, body chills and vomiting are just a few of the delights enjoyed by individuals who have caught the flu. Health services has not reported any new cases of influenza on campus during the week of Jan. 4, but this number is expected to go up as students, faculty and staff return to campus for the spring semester.

In Idaho and many other states nationwide widespread flu activity has been reported. Flu season officially began with the first reported case in Idaho on Oct. 1 and since then eight influenza-related deaths have been reported, all in individuals over the age of 50.

Typically Idaho sees up to 12 influenza-related deaths per year, but in 2003-2004, a particularly severe year, a reported 28 deaths due to influenza.

Although the flu is generally most severe in the very young or old, being college-aged doesn’t mean students won’t catch the flu and suffer from the side effects.

The first reported case of influenza on campus was Nov. 26. Health Services stated at the time there was no evidence of a widespread outbreak, but that they would continue to monitor the situation.

Before school let out for winter break, Health Services reminded students to get a flu shot.

Flu shots are available at the Health Center, located on the second floor of the Norco building. No appointment is necessary, but students do need to bring a valid student ID and insurance card.

According to Health Services, “(The)Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) covers cost of vaccine at 100 percent when provided at the Health Center. Other types of insurance will be billed and any balance not paid by insurance will be billed to the student.” After receiving the flu shot it takes roughly two weeks for the body to begin to develop the anti-bodies which protect the body against the flu virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) cautions anyone with a fever and moderate to severe illness should wait to receive the vaccine until they’re feeling better.

Remember, however, the flu shot is not a guaranteed safe-guard from illness. The effectiveness from the shot can vary based on age, risk group and how closely the virus used to make the shot and the circulating strains match.

The CDC explains the flu virus is constantly changing, either from season to season or even during the flu season, it is referred to as,
“antigenic drift.”

The viruses picked to use in vaccines are selected months in advance which can result in a poor match. Even when a poor match is made, the CDC urges people to receive the shot as the shot will still encourage the body to produce protection against similar viruses.

“Findings from early data suggest that this season’s vaccine so far is reducing the risk of having to go to the doctor for influenza by about 60 percent for vaccinated people,” the CDC reports.

Although this doesn’t mean the flu shot will be a cure-all for students worried about missing classes due to illness, the CDC does state, “Influenza vaccination, even with moderate effectiveness of about 60 percent, has been shown to also reduce the following: flu-related illness, antibiotic use, time lost from work, hospitalizations, and deaths.”

After receiving the vaccine there are a few side effects to be aware of. Some may mistake the side effects for flu symptoms, as they range from soreness, redness and swelling where the shot was given, low-grade fever and body aches. If experienced at all these side effects should last only one to two days. The shot does not result in recipients actually receiving the living flu virus, but instead is composed of killed or inactivated viruses.

Individuals sick with flu-like symptoms can go to the Health Services website and read up on “Be Smart Tips” to keep from infecting friends, professors and classmates around campus. It is important to remember, even with the sometimes controversial attendance policies on campus the best way to prevent the spread of the flu is to stay home.

Students with concerns about the flu shot or the influenza virus should contact their doctor with questions.



Flu vaccines available at the Health Center:

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wed 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

No appointment necessary.
http://arbiteronline.com/2013/01/22/fighting-influenza/

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Fifteen people have died since the beginning of this flu season on Oct. 1, according to a press release from the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare. All were older than 50.

Fatal cases have been reported all over the state. North Idaho has reported one; southwest Idaho has reported 10; eastern Idaho has reported two. Two people who died in Idaho from flu-related complications were not residents.




“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones because of complications from the flu,” says Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, deputy state epidemiologist. “Influenza activity is still high, and as long as the virus is circulating in our communities, the best protection for you and your family is to get the vaccine.”

Plenty of pediatric vaccine is available for those who want it. Adults, however, should call ahead to make sure vaccine is available, or find a clinic at www.flu.gov.

Influenza can cause severe illness, especially for certain high risk groups, including those who are pregnant, those who have diabetes, asthma and heart disease, those with compromised immune systems, and the elderly. People who are at higher risk for complications from influenza should consult with their healthcare providers within the first 48 hours of illness to see if the use of antiviral medications might be right for them.


Read more: http://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/n ... z2IpSCDPc4

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Public health officials in Idaho are reporting two influenza-associated deaths among children younger than 18, bringing the total flu-related deaths to 21 since the start of the flu season on Oct. 1, 2012. The 19 adult deaths reported all were individuals older than 50.

“Our sympathies are with the families of all the victims, and especially with those grieving the loss of a child. Although influenza has hit the older population particularly hard this season, these pediatric deaths are a tragic reminder that influenza can be a very serious infection for all age groups,” says Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, deputy state epidemiologist. “Influenza activity is still high, and as long as the virus is circulating in our communities, the best protection for you and your family is to get the vaccine. It is not too late to get the shot.”

Vaccination is recommended for everyone older than 6 months of age. There is still plenty of pediatric vaccine for those who want it. Adults, however, may want to consider calling ahead to make sure vaccine is available, or find a clinic at www.flu.gov

http://www.idahostatejournal.com/articl ... 963f4.html

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