The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH officials are urging Bahamians to get vaccinated as soon as possible after the US-based Centres for Disease Control called the current flu season in America the worst in 10 years.

Dr Delon Brennan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health, told The Tribune while there have been no reports of the strain in the Bahamas yet, with the number of international visitors the Bahamas gets, there is high chance of the flu also becoming a problem for Bahamians.

“The major thing is our international travellers, we have to be aware of the number of people that come in and out of this country as well as the amount of travelling our own people do. The good thing about this strain is that it can be contained within the vaccine. So a flu shot can protect you. The bad thing is the majority of Bahamians do not get flu shots,” he said.

“We do provide flu shots for the public free of charge at the local clinics but we are also going around to churches, schools and government ministries. It is projected that this will be the worst flu season in years and our people are putting themselves at risk if they do not get their flu shots.”

According to the latest information published by the CDC,  at least 29 American states are experiencing high levels of influenza-like illness as of December 29.

Boston has declared a public health emergency and a Pennsylvania hospital was forced to construct a tent to handle flu cases.

The CDC has reported 22,048 flu cases from September 30 through the end of 2012.  During the same period last year, only 849 flu cases had been reported nationwide, 26 times more flu cases by the last week of 2012 than by the last week of 2011.

The primary strain this season is the H3N2, an influenza A virus that has been associated in the past with more severe flu seasons.

The symptoms of the new strain mirror the flu virus, but also includes vomiting.

Dr Brennan said the virus can be deadly to those with lower immune systems and chronic non communicable diseases.

Flu usually peaks in mid-winter. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, head and body aches and fatigue. Some people also suffer vomiting and diarrhoea, and some develop pneumonia or other severe complications.

Most people with flu have a mild illness and can help themselves and protect others by staying home and resting. But people with severe symptoms should see a doctor. They may be given antiviral drugs or other medications to ease symptoms.

The last bad flu season involved a swine flu that hit in two waves in the spring and fall of 2009.