Kitsap County Washington sent this bulletin at 03/18/2019 03:06 PM PDT
March 18, 2019
Influenza on the rise in Kitsap County
Five flu-related deaths reported in Kitsap County
KITSAP COUNTY, WA— Influenza (flu) is on the rise in Kitsap County, with five influenza-related deaths reported to the Kitsap Public Health District since the last week of February.
“We want to express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of these individuals,” said Dr. Susan Turner, Health Officer for Kitsap Public Health District. "We also want to remind our community members in higher risk groups to contact their doctor right away if they begin to feel symptoms of the flu. Prompt antiviral treatment can be lifesaving.”
All five individuals were positive for influenza type A and had underlying medical conditions. Three were adults (aged 19 to 64 years old) while 2 were over 64 years old. One of the individuals was vaccinated while the vaccination status of the other 4 individuals is unknown.
Kitsap County and the rest of Washington State are seeing an increase in reported flu deaths and emergency department visits for influenza-like illness. Some schools in the county are also reporting elevated levels of absenteeism due to influenza.
Influenza sends thousands of people to the hospital every year. The flu can cause days of fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. In some cases, the flu leads to death. Even healthy people can become seriously sick or die from the flu.
The flu can cause serious illness or hospitalization for some people, especially those in these higher risk groups including:
Seniors
Children under age five
Pregnant women
People with diabetes, asthma, heart disease, extreme obesity, weakened immune systems or other chronic medical conditions
Residents of long term care facilities
American Indians and Alaskan Natives
If you are in one of these higher risk groups and you develop flu symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away. Antiviral medications taken within a day or two after the flu symptoms start can help people at higher risk avoid complications, including pneumonia, hospitalization, and death.
If you have no underlying chronic health conditions and are not among the high-risk groups, you can usually treat yourself or your child at home by getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids.
Jessica Guidry | InterimPublic Information Officer Kitsap Public Health District 345 6th St., Suite 300 | Bremerton, WA 98337 (360) 728-2267 Office | (360) 728-2235 Main jessica.guidry@kitsappublichealth.org | kitsappublichealth.org