Edited version; full article available at http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20091007/NEWS01/710079750&news01ad=1
Published: Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Swine flu here; vaccine coming this week
By Sharon Salyer, Herald Writer
(snip)
Influenza has arrived unusually early and is spreading rapidly, both locally and nationally. Nearly all these cases are believed to be swine flu.
Some area clinics say they're treating numbers of patients they typically don't see in normal flu seasons until January and February.
?The amount of influenza we saw this past week corresponds to what we usually see in the middle of winter ? not in the fall,? said Dr. Yuan-Po Tu, who oversees influenza issues at The Everett Clinic.
He said he's never seen as much flu in October as is occurring this year.
?I don't think we've seen the peak,? he added. ?We're on the upswing.?
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and The Everett Clinic have begun asking patients with flulike symptoms to wear medical masks to stem the spread of the virus.
This year differs from previous flu seasons in several ways.
First, the outbreak is a new type of influenza ? swine flu. It began in the spring, continued into the summer, although at lower rates, and has now regrouped for a second wave.
Meanwhile, the supply of swine flu vaccine is just beginning to trickle out nationally. At least initially, that supply is reserved for health care workers and those at higher risk of developing serious health complications from the flu.
So this year, there's no widespread reservoir of people with immunity gained from flu shots before the first big wave of influenza arrived.
?This is very different ? unprecedented,? Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District, said Tuesday.
Swine flu is spreading rapidly, especially among children and young adults, Goldbaum said. Absenteeism is growing at area schools, just as some clinics are reporting an unusual spike in patients with influenzalike illnesses.
Although the swine flu vaccine is arriving after the initial fall wave of the virus, ?vaccination is the most effective strategy for interrupting the spread of this disease and preventing complications and death,? Goldbaum said.
The goal of vaccination programs is to inoculate 100,000 people in Snohomish County by Thanksgiving.
Eventually, there should be enough vaccine for anyone who wants it, health officials say.
(snip)
Published: Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Swine flu here; vaccine coming this week
By Sharon Salyer, Herald Writer
(snip)
Influenza has arrived unusually early and is spreading rapidly, both locally and nationally. Nearly all these cases are believed to be swine flu.
Some area clinics say they're treating numbers of patients they typically don't see in normal flu seasons until January and February.
?The amount of influenza we saw this past week corresponds to what we usually see in the middle of winter ? not in the fall,? said Dr. Yuan-Po Tu, who oversees influenza issues at The Everett Clinic.
He said he's never seen as much flu in October as is occurring this year.
?I don't think we've seen the peak,? he added. ?We're on the upswing.?
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and The Everett Clinic have begun asking patients with flulike symptoms to wear medical masks to stem the spread of the virus.
This year differs from previous flu seasons in several ways.
First, the outbreak is a new type of influenza ? swine flu. It began in the spring, continued into the summer, although at lower rates, and has now regrouped for a second wave.
Meanwhile, the supply of swine flu vaccine is just beginning to trickle out nationally. At least initially, that supply is reserved for health care workers and those at higher risk of developing serious health complications from the flu.
So this year, there's no widespread reservoir of people with immunity gained from flu shots before the first big wave of influenza arrived.
?This is very different ? unprecedented,? Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District, said Tuesday.
Swine flu is spreading rapidly, especially among children and young adults, Goldbaum said. Absenteeism is growing at area schools, just as some clinics are reporting an unusual spike in patients with influenzalike illnesses.
Although the swine flu vaccine is arriving after the initial fall wave of the virus, ?vaccination is the most effective strategy for interrupting the spread of this disease and preventing complications and death,? Goldbaum said.
The goal of vaccination programs is to inoculate 100,000 people in Snohomish County by Thanksgiving.
Eventually, there should be enough vaccine for anyone who wants it, health officials say.
(snip)