The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) reported Wednesday that the flu has become more widespread in Arizona this season. According to ADHS, there are 2,629 more flu cases reported than this time last year.
As of Dec. 20, there have been 2,976 cases of flu reported compared to 347 for the same time period in 2016, which is a 758 percent increase in flu activity.
"It's impossible to know whether we're just seeing an early increase and we're going to see an early decrease as well or whether this is going to be an unusually severe flu season," said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine with the Maricopa County Health Department.
ADHS said this is the highest number of flu cases since the flu test became reportable. In the last two seasons, flu cases in Arizona didn't reach these numbers until February.
"Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family against the flu, and with the disease spreading quickly in Arizona the time to get vaccinated is now," said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. "It can take up to two weeks to build full immunity to the flu after you are vaccinated, so I encourage everyone who has not yet had a flu shot to get one today before the holidays."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of six months get a flu shot each season. This is mainly important for people who are at risk for complications, such as adults aged 65 years or older, people with asthma or diabetes and pregnant women.
People can find a place to get vaccinated at vaccinefinder.org.
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness but can also lead to hospitalization and death.
The flu virus spreads when someone with the flu coughs, sneezes or talks. You can also catch influenza by touching a surface or object that the virus lands on and then touching your face.
Even if you are vaccinated, there are more ways to prevent the spread of influenza:
Stay home when you are sick
For more information about the flu vaccine, contact the ADHS Immunization Office at 602-364-3630 or your county health department. You can stay up-to-date on flu activity in Arizona throughout the season by viewing the weekly reports on the ADHS website at azhealth.gov/flu, or by subscribing to receive the flu report via email at azhealth.gov/email.
So far this influenza season 2,976 influenza cases have been reported, compared to just 347 cases last season. That’s an increase of more than 700%. Protect yourself and your family against the flu, get your flu shot! #FightFlu https://t.co/5AZ1Tmn5JD pic.twitter.com/8gQFDtBOzs — AZ Dept. of Health (@AZDHS) December 20, 2017
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The_Tightest_Anus on December 21st, 2017 at 15:15 UTC »
This is a bit misleading, a huge number to report, but I thought the stat was referencing the whole nation. Not just Arizona.
Comassion on December 21st, 2017 at 14:56 UTC »
Note: This article is specific to Arizona and does not describe national conditions or conditions in your area.
kaivman on December 21st, 2017 at 14:04 UTC »
Flu vaccines are manufactured in chicken eggs. They grow the virus up in the egg, inactivate it, purify it, then inject it into you. In order to get the virus to grow in eggs the manufacturers have to modify the virus. Usually these modifications have no impact on the antibodies that are made with the vaccine. This year the modifications changed epitopes thats changing the antibodies that are made. Meaning, the virus strain is a match, H3N2, but the antibodies that are made aren't protective.
Source: I work for a flu vaccine manufacturer.