Norway:flu growing rapidly

[tetano]

National Public Health Institute (FHI) reported Wednesday that the number of Norwegians
getting the flu, is now growing rapidly across the country.


- Messages from physicians' offices throughout the country by Christmas
New Year's period shows a clear increase of patients with flu-like
disease who visit the country doctor's offices, "said Preben Aavitsland,
Deputy Division Director at the NIPH.


The largest increase is in the southern counties of Buskerud to Vest-Agder - and in
north, from Nordland to Finnmark. Mid-Norway has the least increase.

http://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/article3057883.ece

[Tonka]

Re: Norway:flu growing rapidly

http://www.fhi.no/eway/default.aspx?pid=233&trg=MainLeft_5565&MainArea_5661=5565:0:15,1214:1:0:0:::0:0&MainLeft_5565=5544:87549::1:5569:1:::0:0

Norwegian to English translation

Significant influenza activity across the country
Published 05.01.2011, updated: 05.01.2011, 6:47 p.m.
Key words: Influenza

Reports of influenza-like illness are now growing rapidly and over the threshold for outbreaks in most parts of the country. It is an influenza type B, which dominates in samples from patients. Influenza A (H1N1) ("swine flu") occurs to a lesser extent, but the relationship between virus types can change. It is urgent now to get vaccinated against flu this winter.

- Messages from physicians' offices throughout the country from the Christmas and New Year period shows a clear increase of patients with influenza-like illness who visit the country doctor's offices, "said Preben Aavitsland, ass. Division Director at the NIPH. - The greatest increase is in the southern counties of Buskerud, to West College and North (Nordland to Finnmark). Mid-Norway has the least increase.
Of the samples taken from patients is also a relatively high proportion of confirming that patients have the flu. The samples show that most are influenza B, but also influenza A (H1N1) ("swine flu"). Sporadic cases of influenza A (H3N2) detected too.

- We do not know if this tendency with the dominant influenza B is going to stay ahead, or whether the relationship between virus types will change during the march, said Aavitsland. - It is not unnatural that we get some influenza B in the years since its been a while since this has circulated, and many people just do not have good immunity against this virus. In general, influenza B somewhat milder disease than influenza A, but people at risk for severe influenza illness also are vulnerable to this virus.

Risk Groups: Important to get the vaccine now

- It is good that the seasonal flu vaccine protects against both A (H1N1) ("swine flu"), A (H3N2) and influenza B, all three are now circulating in the population. It takes a few days before the vaccine provides the best protection possible. Persons with increased risk for severe influenza disease - pregnant women, elderly and persons with serious underlying disease - and that has not yet taken the vaccine, is recommended to do this as quickly as possible. Then it is most likely to get influenza virus forestall says Aavitsland.