Influenza on the rise in Flathead

Local physicians have confirmed influenza is back in the valley and the number of cases of people infected with this season’s viral infection is growing, according to the Flathead City-County Health Department.

As of Dec. 17, Flathead County reported four influenza cases this season, which began in October. The county’s deputy health officer Hillary Hanson said as of Dec. 24, that number had grown to 13.

“Anytime we see a growth in cases, we know numbers are higher — reports only include folks who seek care,” Hanson said. “And we expect that to continue to spike with this next week’s report.”

Hanson said while health facilities are still sending in reports of identified flu cases in Flathead County within the last week, so far the department has already received notice of more cases than prior weeks.

Simultaneously, cases of a stomach bug causing diarrhea and vomiting called Norovirus have continued to appear in local assisted-living and long-term care facilities, she said.

Since reporting of the virus is not required by the health department, Hanson said it’s unknown how many county residents have been infected, “But we’re still seeing it in the community.”

She said while the illness hangs in the valley year-round, there seems to be an uptick of Norovirus throughout the winter. The virus’ symptoms can be life-threatening to people with already weak immune systems. That can include young children, seniors or people with health concerns.

“On the plus side, some of the prevention measures for the virus are the same [as influenza],” Hanson said.

She said prevention methods include people staying home from work or school if they’re sick and washing their hands.

For the flu, Hanson said the department is constantly spreading the message that it’s never too late to get an influenza vaccination. While vaccine effectiveness can vary, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the vaccine reduces the risk of flu illness by 50 to 60 percent.

The county’s slight upward trend of influenza cases mirrors statewide reports.

As of Dec. 17, 139 cases were reported to the state’s department of health since October. A week later, that number had grown to 238 cases.

Since the season began, there have been 29 hospitalizations attributed to the infection.

The Flathead’s number of cases falls below other countries facing influenza, such as Missoula, which had seen 71 cases as of Dec. 24.

Throughout the 2014 and 2015 influenza season, there were 736 confirmed cases in the Flathead. Last year, there were 587 cases, with a later-than-typical jump in cases around late March.

“While our peak this season is much earlier than it was last year, where we are now is a more typical season,” she said. “We know influenza is in our community. What we stress is for people to take into account all prevention methods, and it’s never too late to get vaccinated.”

The Centers for Disease Control recommends influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older to help prevent influenza illness, as well as prompt treatment with flu antiviral drugs for people at high risk of serious flu complications.

For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/flu-activity-rise-2016-2017.htm.

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