Panhandle Health District

                                                            8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      Date:     March 24, 2009                         

Contact:                                                                                  Released by: Jeanne Bock, Director                     

Cynthia Taggart

Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5108

(208) 818-7288 (cell)

School Absentee Rates Indicate Flu’s Arrival

              Seasonal flu is on the rise in the five northern counties. While flu is declining nationally, the flu is reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as widespread in Idaho.

              Results of lab tests taken in the five northern counties last week show 53 percent of the cases are Type A and 47 percent are Type B. Hospital labs have conducted 456 tests to date; results in 68 of those tests, or 15 percent, were positive for the flu virus.

              Flu is not reportable in Idaho, but school absentee rates and the number of visits to medical offices offer an indication of how widespread it is. Absentee rates at a middle school in Benewah County ranged from 15 percent to 18 percent last week. The typical absentee rate is 6 percent. Boundary County school absentee rates hovered in the 10 to 11 percent range last week.

              Kootenai County schools have reported no increases in absentee rates.

              Two deaths in northern Idaho since October have been attributed to the flu. Both were adults, one male and one female.

              Reports of patients with flu symptoms have varied from sentinel medical providers in northern Idaho but have remained below the regional threshold. However, many people don’t go to the doctor with flu symptoms. Flu is a respiratory illness. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and, sometimes, a cough and sore throat.

              People with flu symptoms should rest, drink plenty of fluids and take Tylenol or ibuprofen. Children age 18 and under should not take aspirin.

              People can protect themselves from the virus by practicing good hygiene. To avoid infection or spreading the virus:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid people who appear sick.
• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Wash your hands often and well. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth until you’ve washed your hands.