DHSS Press Release |
Date: November 15, 2006 DHSS-110-2006 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Reporters Phone: 302-744-4907 |
STATE'S FIRST INFLUENZA CASE OF THE SEASON OCCURS IN INFANT
Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) reports that Delaware's first laboratory - confirmed case of influenza for the 2006-2007 flu season is a 6 month old child from Sussex County who received outpatient treatment. The case was confirmed as Type A influenza by the Delaware Public Health Laboratory using a genetic test method. Of 276 lab-confirmed cases of influenza nationwide since October, 218 (79.0%) were influenza A viruses similar to Delaware's case.
DPH conducts surveillance for influenza by monitoring the occurrence of influenza - like illness in all hospitals and selected long term care facilities, large corporations and stand-alone medical clinics. National reports from Oct . 29 - Nov. 4 inidcate a low level of influenza activity across the United States. DPH strongly encourages health care providers to submit influenza specimens to the DPH Laboratory for culture confirmation and subtyping to help with disease surveillance. This service is done free of charge for health care providers and results are returned to the provider.
DPH continues to conduct schedule flu vaccination clinics. DPH has distributed 9,580 doses of vaccine to Vaccine For Children (VFC) providers in the state. This vaccine is for Medicaid and uninsured children who have enrolled in the VFC program.For clinic dates and locations, go to www.flucliniclocator.org . These clinics vaccinate people in the following risk groups.
- Children age 6-59 months .
- Adults 50 years and older .
- People ages 2-49 with chronic medical conditions .
- Adults or children with spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other muscle and nerve conditions that lead to breathing and swallowing problems.
- Women who will be pregnant during flu season. Vaccination can occur in any trimester .
- Household contacts of out-of-home caregivers of children less than six months old.
- Residents of long-term care facilities;
- Healthcare workers involved in direct patient care .
- Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of people in the other high-risk categories.
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.
