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Iredell guarding against flu
Photo by Bruce Matlock
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Published: September 30, 2009
No additional cases of H1N1 influenza have been reported by the Iredell County Health Department, but that doesn't mean precautions have halted.
Several weeks ago, the health department announced five cases of H1N1 had been reported in the county.
And although that number hasn't increased, Health Department spokesperson Katherine Land said the flu remains a concern.
"H1N1 is still a predominant strain of flu at this time," she said.
According to Land, the criteria for reporting potential H1N1 cases changed last week.
A case is not reported to the health department unless a person is in the Intensive Care Unit or a death has occurred as a result of H1N1. If neither occurs, the health department doesn't have adequate information to confirm H1N1.
In an effort to prevent the spread of seasonal flu, the health department will host a seasonal flu-shot clinic from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 20 at Charles Mack Citizens Center in Mooresville and from 2-7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Fairview Baptist Church in Statesville.
Medicare and some insurance will be accepted, but those without Medicare or insurance will have to pay $30.
Iredell-Statesville Schools has seen an increase in the number of students absent this week compared to this time last year.
According to Director of Student Services Kelly Marcy, about 5.42 percent of the student population has been absent this week. In September 2008, that number was 2.69. It's unknown whether the increase is a direct result of the flu.
High flu season for the district is usually between February and March.
Marcy said that while the current numbers aren't tremendously high, they are what the district typically sees during the normal flu season.
"We have pockets of the county where there has been an increase, but that varies from week to week," she added.
Urgent Care Physician Robert Kimball said he has treated "four to five cases a day for the last month or so."
Kimball suggested preventative measures like getting a flu shot, — including the H1N1 vaccine if it becomes available — avoiding people who are sick and frequently washing your hands.
Symptoms of flu and H1N1 are the same and include fever, cough, body ache and headache.
Kimball said a good portion of the patients who have come in are probable H1N1 cases.
"This is the earliest I've ever seen it (flu season)," he said.
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