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The News-Review
The number of people contracting swine flu, officially known as the H1N1 influenza, continues to rise locally, Douglas County health officials say.
And health officials are strongly encouraging those with certain chronic health conditions to be inoculated with the H1N1 vaccine.
Between Sept. 1 and Nov. 17, 1,127 hospitalizations and 43 deaths from influenza were reported in Oregon, according to a Douglas County Public Health news release.
During this same period in Douglas County, 37 hospitalizations and two deaths from influenza were reported. Almost all of the influenza viruses identified since Sept. 1 are pandemic H1N1 influenza.
Oregon health officials, meanwhile, say although the flu rate is higher than usual, indications are that cases statewide appear to have peaked in October.
Douglas County Public Health receives H1N1 vaccine allocations each week, the release said. A total of 14,300 doses have arrived in the county to date. This will provide coverage for about 28 percent of the people estimated to be in the groups considered most at risk of complications from the H1N1 flu, the release said.
Douglas County Public Health has enrolled 65 H1N1 vaccine providers to help vaccinate those who are at greatest risk of complications from the flu. People who fall within that group, and who also do not have a primary care provider providing H1N1 vaccine, should call (800) 978-3040 or go to www.flu.oregon.gov to find suppliers of the H1N1 vaccine, the release said.
Those considered most at risk of complications from the H1N1 flu are pregnant women; people caring for, or living with infants, younger than six months of age; adults 25-64 with chronic health conditions that may put them at risk for complications from influenza – such as asthma, immune deficiencies, lung or heart disease and diabetes — health care workers and emergency medical service providers; front-line law enforcement officers, corrections workers, firefighters and 911 communications workers; children and young adults from the ages of six months to 24 years.
Rates of hospitalization have been substantially higher among people with underlying conditions that put them in a vaccine priority group, including pregnant women, children with developmental disabilities, children and adults with asthma, and adults with chronic cardiovascular or lung disease.
Therefore, those from the ages of 6 months through 64 years who have chronic medical conditions are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated.
Until the vaccine is more widely available, health officials are encouraging residents to protect themselves and others by washing their hands, covering their coughs with something other than their hands, and staying home for 24 hours after their fever subsides.
For more information, call the Oregon Flu Hotline toll-free at 800-978-3040 for information and referral. People who don't have access to health care may call the Oregon Flu Hotline to talk with a health information specialist.
Information also is available by visiting the Web sites, www.flu.oregon.gov or www.co.douglas.or.us/health or by calling the county Health Department Flu Info Line, 464-3815.
The number of people contracting swine flu, officially known as the H1N1 influenza, continues to rise locally, Douglas County health officials say.
And health officials are strongly encouraging those with certain chronic health conditions to be inoculated with the H1N1 vaccine.
Between Sept. 1 and Nov. 17, 1,127 hospitalizations and 43 deaths from influenza were reported in Oregon, according to a Douglas County Public Health news release.
During this same period in Douglas County, 37 hospitalizations and two deaths from influenza were reported. Almost all of the influenza viruses identified since Sept. 1 are pandemic H1N1 influenza.
Oregon health officials, meanwhile, say although the flu rate is higher than usual, indications are that cases statewide appear to have peaked in October.
Douglas County Public Health receives H1N1 vaccine allocations each week, the release said. A total of 14,300 doses have arrived in the county to date. This will provide coverage for about 28 percent of the people estimated to be in the groups considered most at risk of complications from the H1N1 flu, the release said.
Douglas County Public Health has enrolled 65 H1N1 vaccine providers to help vaccinate those who are at greatest risk of complications from the flu. People who fall within that group, and who also do not have a primary care provider providing H1N1 vaccine, should call (800) 978-3040 or go to www.flu.oregon.gov to find suppliers of the H1N1 vaccine, the release said.
Those considered most at risk of complications from the H1N1 flu are pregnant women; people caring for, or living with infants, younger than six months of age; adults 25-64 with chronic health conditions that may put them at risk for complications from influenza – such as asthma, immune deficiencies, lung or heart disease and diabetes — health care workers and emergency medical service providers; front-line law enforcement officers, corrections workers, firefighters and 911 communications workers; children and young adults from the ages of six months to 24 years.
Rates of hospitalization have been substantially higher among people with underlying conditions that put them in a vaccine priority group, including pregnant women, children with developmental disabilities, children and adults with asthma, and adults with chronic cardiovascular or lung disease.
Therefore, those from the ages of 6 months through 64 years who have chronic medical conditions are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated.
Until the vaccine is more widely available, health officials are encouraging residents to protect themselves and others by washing their hands, covering their coughs with something other than their hands, and staying home for 24 hours after their fever subsides.
For more information, call the Oregon Flu Hotline toll-free at 800-978-3040 for information and referral. People who don't have access to health care may call the Oregon Flu Hotline to talk with a health information specialist.
Information also is available by visiting the Web sites, www.flu.oregon.gov or www.co.douglas.or.us/health or by calling the county Health Department Flu Info Line, 464-3815.
