Second surge of influenza hits Clay County

MANCHESTER, KY. – The second surge of flu cases across the U.S. is apparent in local clinics and hospitals.  Nationally, the CDC reported a 31.6% increase in lab-confirmed influenza cases and a 2% increase in deaths related to flu cases during the week of January 26th through February 1st.  Numbers of flu cases are high throughout Kentucky, where emergency department visits for flu and other respiratory illnesses remain high and have increased in the first two weeks of February.

Cases of respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID, and RSV were high in early January and had appeared to decline.  However, it is not uncommon for influenza to have a second surge before the winter season ends, and that is what we are seeing this year.  Over 90% of flu cases continue to be Influenza A, with most lab confirmed cases being typed as A(H1N1) and A(H3N2).  

Although reported cases are currently less than in the first peak of illness in early January, those numbers are continuing to rise, and hospitals in the region are reporting high numbers of both emergency department visits and hospital admissions for respiratory illness.

There are a few simple ways to help reduce the risk of spreading flu and other respiratory illnesses.  If you or someone in your household are sick, stay home to avoid spreading illness to others.  Avoid contact with people who are at high risk of poor outcomes from the flu, such as the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.  Practice good hand hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid crowded spaces when possible, to prevent exposure.  Wearing a mask while in public can both prevent the spread to those around you and provide some protection against airborne germs. 

The 24/25 flu shot is still available at most pharmacies, health departments, and doctor’s offices, although it can take up to two weeks for full immunity to develop after a vaccination.  Even if a person is exposed to a strain that is not specifically included in the vaccine, being vaccinated can help reduce the severity of the flu and potentially prevent poor outcomes.  

If you do become sick, consider the following:  Most people with the flu have mild to moderate illness and recover within a week to ten days.  Stay home until symptoms begin to improve.  Symptoms such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, fever and cough that improve but then worsen again, and pain or pressure in the chest, can indicate a need to seek medical care.  For more information about influenza and respiratory illness, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.