DELAWARE CONFIRMS FIRST INFLUENZA CASE IN SUSSEX COUNTY

Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) reports the first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza for Sussex County and the fourth case for the 2013-2014 flu season. The case is a pre-school-aged girl from Seaford who was tested on Nov. 12. She did not require hospitalization.

There are two main types of influenza (flu) virus - types A and B - that routinely spread in people and are responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks each year. This is Delaware's first case of influenza B for the season. DPH urges all Delawareans 6 months of age and older who have not yet been vaccinated against the flu to get a vaccine as soon as possible. DPH's "Get It" campaign especially encourages healthy 19-49 year-olds - who often skip the flu shot - to get vaccinated to protect themselves and to keep from spreading the virus to more vulnerable individuals. The vaccine is readily available through medical providers, pharmacies, and some grocery stores. DPH will conduct public flu clinics including some with evening hours at various locations in the state. For DPH flu clinic schedules for this season, please visit www.flu.delaware.gov.

It is especially important that the following groups get flu shots:

• Pregnant women and their household contacts;
• Caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months, since those children are too young to receive the vaccine;
• Seniors;
• Those with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems;
• Health care providers.

Delawareans are also encouraged to prevent infection by taking simple everyday measures such as washing hands, using hand sanitizer, covering coughs and sneezes and staying at home when sick. These efforts help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses including flu.

Beginning in October each year, DPH monitors the occurrence of influenza-like illness in hospitals, selected long-term care facilities and medical clinics to track flu trends in the state. Reports so far do not suggest that influenza is widely circulating in Delaware.

For more information on influenza prevention, diagnosis and treatment call the Division of Public Health at 1-888-295-5156 or 302-744-1033, or visit dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/index.html

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.