Published: January 09, 2009 09:01 pm      

Health officials see surge in flu activity across region

BLUEFIELD — Health officials are warning of an increase in reported flu activity across the region.

Health officials in Southwest Virginia are beginning to see regional flu activity, and are warning it could become more widespread. Sporadic cases of the flu have been reported in Mercer County.

“The flu is still sporadic in Mercer County right now,” Melody Rickman, RN and administrator of the Mercer County Health Department, said. “We are just now getting to the time of the year where it peaks. We do expect to see an increase. It is usually mid-January to the end of February that is the peak.”

Rickman said more than 4,000 flu shots have already been administered by the health department. The agency is now down to only about 20 dosages. Rickman said additional dosages of the flu vaccine will be received if there is demand.

“It’s not too late to get the flu shot,” Rickman said. “The people who haven’t — we would encourage them to get it. Children need to be immunized as well as adults.”

More than 15,000 flu shots have already been administered so far this season in the Mount Rogers Health District in Southwest Virginia, which includes Bland and Wythe counties, Roger Parker, a public information officer for the Virginia Department of Health, said. Parker said another 5,846 flu shots had been administered in the Cumberland Plateau Health District, which includes Tazewell, Buchanan and Russell counties.

“We are beginning to see some regional flu activity that could become widespread,” Mount Rogers Health District Director Dr. D. Craig Smith said in a press release. “We want to remind area residents that the best protection against the flu is to get a flu shot.”

The Virginia Department of Health is recommending flu shots for all adults over the age of 50, children ages 6 months to 18 years, as well as individuals in high risk categories, including those with weakened immune systems and caregivers.

The flu vaccine is still available at area health districts in Southwest Virginia.

Rickman said the best protection for those who have yet to get the flu shot is to wash their hands — frequently. Rickman said residents should wash their hands well with hot water and soap, and use bottles of hand sanitizers, when out in public locations.

Rickman said a number of other bugs have been circulating across the region in recent weeks, including one that comes with a prolonged cough. Rickman said another virus that also causes vomiting and diarrhea had been circulating across the region in recent weeks, but is now on the decline.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com