Late influenza outbreak may be waning across Flathead County

After a late surge of influenza, Flathead County’s outbreak of the illness appears to be diminishing.

The most recent count shows 24 confirmed influenza cases here, according to Hillary Hanson, Flathead County’s deputy health officer.

That number is down from the previous week when 95 cases were recorded.

“And two weeks ago we saw that number at 102, so we have seen a pretty decent drop,” Hanson said. “I think, give us one more week to tell for sure, but this might mean we’ve hit our peak and are decreasing.”

Three people were hospitalized with influenza last week, bringing to 25 the total hospitalized since February.

Hanson said there has not been a high enough absentee rate in schools to cause concern about health in classrooms. She said at this point, the county’s priority is to have communitywide education to inform people to do whatever possible to avoid the flu — such as reminding them to wash their hands frequently, stay home when sick and get vaccinated.

The majority of cases this season have been Influenza A, H1N1. The Centers for Disease Control stated in a preliminary report that the influenza vaccine has been 59 percent effective in preventing influenza this season.

Hanson said while the number of influenza cases declined in the last week, it’s still high for this time of year. That means influenza may continue longer into the summer than in previous years.

“As long as there’s influenza in the community, it’s not too late to get your flu shot,” she said.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.