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Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor

Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary

For Immediate Release

December 28, 2001

Contact: Mike Heideman, 785-296-5795

First Influenza Case of Season Confirmed

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has confirmed one case of influenza A type H3N2 in northwest Kansas as of December 28. This year's flu vaccine provides protection against this type of influenza. Influenza A is also treatable with medication.

The Division of Health and Environmental Laboratories at KDHE tests viral specimens to identify specific strains, and notes any changes in the strains from the initial outbreak continuing throughout the influenza season.

"Although we recommend that people receive their flu shot as early as possible in the season, it's not too late to get the vaccine," said KDHE Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Gail Hansen.

Hansen noted the flu vaccine is usually around 80 percent effective in preventing illness from influenza virus. This means that it is possible to get influenza after having the vaccine, but even when illness occurs symptoms are usually less severe and complications less frequent.

"It's important to remember that the flu shot cannot cause the flu," said Hansen. "Also, the vaccine wears off, so yearly vaccinations are recommended for those at high risk of complications. "

People at high risk for complications due to influenza infections include:

• persons age 65 years and older;
• residents of nursing homes and other facilities housing persons of any age with chronic medical conditions;
• adults and children with chronic heart and lung disorders, including children with asthma;
• adults and children who required hospitalization or regular medical follow-up in the previous year because of chronic metabolic diseases like diabetes, kidney diseases, or who are immuno-suppressed;
• children and teenagers requiring long-term aspirin therapy; and
• women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season.

Other persons who should be vaccinated yearly include:

• Persons 50-64 years old. Based on age alone, this group is not at high risk of flu-related complications. However, one quarter to one third of the people in that age group have one or more high-risk medical conditions. The flu shot is among the preventative measures people over 50 need to take to stay healthy.
• People such as doctors, nurses, hospital staff, nursing home employees, and visiting nurses-- all of whom may transmit influenza to people in high risk groups.
  

KDHE recommends that if you begin to feel achy and feverish with a dry cough, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, and use aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce fever. Wash your hands before and after coming in contact with people. Due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome, aspirin and other medicines containing salicylates should not be given to children. Medications are available to reduce the severity and shorten the duration of influenza, but they must be administered within 48 hours of illness onset. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms that you believe require medical attention, you should contact your medical provider.

Influenza is highly contagious, and is spread by direct contact with an infected person or by airborne droplets. Persons are most contagious during the 24 hours before they develop symptoms and are usually somewhat infectious for the next six or seven days, according to Hansen.

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