While regional school systems are back in session, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells the public that influenza activity is still around.
The CDC recently released their 2016-17 surveillance report for week 6 (week ending February 11) showcasing that influenza activity is still “elevated” in Region 8 — which includes the state of Tennessee.
Along with the surveillance, they released the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which said the current flu vaccination’s effectiveness is at 48 percent and that individuals that have the shot can still become infected with the flu.
“Early antiviral treatment can reduce severity and complications of influenza-associated illness,” the report stated. “Early antiviral treatment is recommended for persons with influenza with severe or progressive illness (e.g., hospitalized persons) and persons at high risk from influenza, such as children aged two years and adults aged 65 years and persons with underlying health conditions, even if illness is less severe.”
Mountain States and Wellmont, two of the regional health service providers, recently announced hospitals were limiting visits to help stop the spread of illness. One of the restrictions put in place was for children ages 12 years old or younger to not visit hospitals so that they would not obtain and spread disease to family members, and school systems.
The effectiveness of closing down school systems last week did see benefits, according to Dr. Corey Gardenhour, director of schools of the Elizabethton City Schools system.
During Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, the director praised the effort of the custodian staff and stated that the system saw population rise that day after the system announced closing Thursday and Friday of last week to help stop the spread of different illnesses throughout the system. Carter County followed right behind by closing their schools last Friday and also reopening Tuesday.
Jamie Swift, corporate director of infection prevention with MSHA, told the Elizabethton Star during a sit down interview that flu activity within the region is still around normal compared to previous years with other viruses, including the norovirus and strep throat also being thrown into the mix with the flu.
While encouraging the public to stay home if symptoms arise, medical personnel advice individuals to not treat flu symptoms with antibiotics and to use a variety of over-the-counter treatments or visit their local physician to take the right steps to combat the disease.
Local health departments are also offering free flu vaccinations to help deter the virus. Individuals looking to receive a shot can contact their local health department for more information.