MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – The percentage of emergency department visits that reported symptoms of a respiratory virus and were diagnosed as influenza jumped from just above 1% on Dec. 6 to nearly 10% by Dec. 27, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health. In the last week of December, two Alabama children died from flu-related causes.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) said the baseline for influenza-like activity is about 3%; the state is currently reporting roughly 8%.
“People are gathering together, they’re indoors more, they’re traveling more, which means they may be coming from different parts of the state, different parts of the nation, and even different parts of the world,” said Dr. Karen Landers, chief medical officer for ADPH. “All of those are opportunities for respiratory viruses to be introduced into the environment.”
ADPH officials stressed that the influenza season in Alabama runs through May and urged residents to take precautions to protect themselves and others.
ADPH strongly urges annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older and recommends other respiratory virus vaccines as appropriate based on guidance from health care providers.
People can protect others by staying home when sick and by covering coughs and sneezes. Dr. Landers recommends coughing into a sleeve or elbow rather than into a hand.
Health officials also recommend frequent handwashing or using hand sanitizer, keeping hands away from the face and, if someone must go out while sick, wearing a mask to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Dr. Landers says people should avoid close contact with those most vulnerable to severe illness, including elderly individuals and people with chronic respiratory conditions.
“I strongly urge people to get the flu vaccine every year and other appropriate respiratory virus vaccines as recommended by their health care providers,” Dr. Landers said.
She also advised people to consult their health care provider before going to the emergency room when possible to help keep emergency departments available for those in crisis.
Symptoms of influenza can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Children sometimes experience vomiting or diarrhea. Anyone with severe symptoms or difficulty breathing should seek immediate medical attention.
For more information, contact your health care provider or the Alabama Department of Public Health. ADPH resources can help you find vaccination locations and current guidance for the season.
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