Flu update — What health officials want residents to know
According to local health officials and recent state surveillance data, flu activity in Weston County has remained relatively low so far this winter, even as national headlines have highlighted a deadly flu season for some families.
Pauline “Polly” Liggett, RN, quality director and infection prevention/employee health and safety nurse for Weston County Health Services, said the hospital, clinics and emergency department have seen a steady but low number of patients with flu-like symptoms this season. Liggett said influenza-related hospital admissions have been rare this season and that flu activity has not affected staffing levels or daily operations across the health system in Newcastle and Upton.
Flu-like symptoms have most often included fever, cough and sore throat, according to Liggett. She added that providers have also seen many cases of strep throat in clinic settings over the past two months.
State reports post-holiday decline
Statewide influenza surveillance shows Wyoming coming off a post-holiday peak and moving into a period of lower activity, according to weekly influenza reports from the Wyoming Department of Health. The department’s reports show influenza-like illness activity was high around Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Week 52, then declined steadily through Weeks 1 and 2, with ILI visits falling below the state baseline and transmission classified as low. Health officials note that influenza A/H3N2 has remained the dominant strain statewide, while influenza B activity has begun to increase.
In practical terms, that means Wyoming experienced its highest flu activity around the holidays, but case levels and spread have eased since then, even as flu continues to circulate and could still rise again later in the season.
Severe cases remain a concern
State and national data point to sobering reminders of flu’s potential severity. The Wyoming Department of Health on Feb. 5 reported the death of a Fremont County child from influenza. The department also reported that, nationally, 52 pediatric flu deaths have been reported so far this season, with about 90% of those children not up to date on their flu vaccinations. Most of those deaths were linked to the H3N2 strain of influenza A, which has been the predominant strain circulating nationwide this season, according to the department.
Prevention, early care remain key
Liggett said patients often come in later in the course of illness, after the window for antiviral medications has passed. She said those medications are typically only given to high-risk patients, since healthy individuals can often tolerate flu symptoms better than those with severe co-morbidities.
Liggett said the flu has not affected long-term care residents so far this season, though she emphasized that the season is not over. She said the majority of long-term care residents are vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19, RSV and pneumonia through a vaccination program in place at WCHS.
Participation in the employee vaccination program is strong, she said, though some WCHS employees decline flu shots for medical or religious reasons, while new hires have already received the vaccine or claimed exemptions.
Liggett said signage is posted at the entrances of the manor and acute care and swing-bed units discouraging visits by people who are ill, and that there is a strict policy regarding employee illness, including a requirement for staff to wear masks when returning from an illness to help prevent transmission to patients and residents.
She said understanding when emergency care is needed can help protect patients and prevent unnecessary strain on emergency services. She said education through primary care providers and increased awareness of symptoms can help residents make informed decisions about where to seek care and avoid unnecessary emergency department visits and costs. Liggett said the absence of widespread illness should not be mistaken for the absence of risk, especially for older adults and people with underlying health conditions.
Angela Phillips, nurse manager with Weston County Public Health, said vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of serious illness from influenza, particularly for children and older adults.
“Flu shots are your main defense against influenza,” Phillips said.
Phillips said flu shots remain available throughout Weston County at pharmacies and clinics. While Weston County Public Health no longer has high-dose flu shots for adults over age 65, she said pharmacies in the county continue to carry them.
“If you haven’t, it is still important that you get it,” Phillips said.
Phillips also said influenza often presents differently than other
respiratory infections, with higher fevers and more intense respiratory symptoms.
“Usually a high fever is common with influenza and the respiratory symptoms are more intense,” she said.
Staying healthy during flu season
Pauline “Polly” Liggett, RN, quality director and infection prevention/employee health and safety nurse for Weston County Health Services, said maintaining overall health can help reduce the risk of severe illness during flu season.
Liggett said residents can support their immune systems by:
Eating a balanced diet
Drinking plenty of water
Seeing a physician regularly to maintain overall health
Staying up to date on recommended vaccinations, including the flu shot
Liggett said these steps are especially important for older adults, young children and people with underlying health conditions, who are at higher risk for complications from influenza.
When to seek emergency care
Pauline “Polly” Liggett, RN, quality director and infection prevention/employee health and safety nurse for Weston County Health Services, said the following symptoms warrant emergency care.
In elderly and high-risk
individuals:
Shortness of breath
Fever
Lethargy
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (due to rapid dehydration)
In children:
High fevers not reduced by over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol
Decreased fluid intake
Lethargy
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