Flu epidemic has touched Shawano

Personnel at Shawano Medical Center are among the health care workers at facilities across the U.S. battling a flu epidemic. According to clinic officials, SMC staff have seen 126 patients with symptoms related to the flu this season. Nine people were admitted for a combined total of 26 days since the start of 2015. “That is when we started keeping track of the numbers, after noticing a spike in cases,” said Carol Ryczek, community relations manager for ThedaCare. The Centers for Disease Control declared a nationwide flu epidemic Dec. 30. The deaths of 15 children have been linked to the flu. None of the confirmed cases in Shawano County have been children. Cases of the flu typically peak at the end of January and early February. The elevated activity might be a result of a drift in the flu strain, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control, meaning the vaccine issued for the flu season isn’t quite covering this year’s strain. “The flu is particularly nasty this year,” said Jaime Bodden, public health officer for the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department. Bodden said the four flu strains have been stronger this year. According to the CDC, the H3N2 influenza A strain is the most common this year. Other strains are the H1N1 and two B-viruses, which originated in Massachusetts and Brisbane, Australia. People at higher risk for flu complications are those over 65, young children and individuals with chronic disease, such as asthma or heart problems. “It is most common in the elderly, but the general population has seen it,” Bodden said. So far this flu season, 1,155 influenza-associated hospitalizations of children, adolescents and adults have been reported in Wisconsin, according to information provided by the Oconto County Health Department. Sixty-nine percent of the patients were age 65 or older. The flu comes on suddenly, and its symptoms are headache, sore throat, cough, fever, extreme fatigue and weakness, and severe body aches. “We encourage anybody with symptoms to see their providers,” Bodden said, “and it is not too late to get a flu vaccine.” Bodden said vaccines can be found at local pharmacies, including Walgreens, the health department and offices of primary care providers. Bodden said people can take some basic precautions to help reduce the potential of spreading the virus to others. “It is about doing basic things, like washing your hands frequently, covering your cough and avoiding contact with people who have symptoms,” Bodden said.