CDC: Flu Outbreak in Alabama, Miss.

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http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/cdc-flu-outbreak-in-alabama-miss/1203675/Jan\

-03-2011_6-34-pm/

CDC: Flu Outbreak in Alabama, Miss.

by Styler

Published: Mon, January 03, 2011 - 5:30 pm CST

Last Updated: Mon, January 03, 2011 - 6:34 pm CST

It's flu season, and five states around the country are seeing higher numbers of

people going to the doctor with the virus. Two of those states are located right

here on the Gulf Coast.

MOBILE, Alabama - The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says Alabama,

Mississippi, Georgia, Virginia, and New York have had an abnormal spike in the

flu virus in the past two weeks.

Doctor Darren Waters from the Greater Mobile Urgent Care has been swamped with

patients the last couple weeks. " Over the past one to two weeks it's really

picked up, " said Dr. Waters. " We're seeing several cases of 'Flu A' we're also

seeing several cases of 'Flu B' and we're seeing a lot of the 'Influenza-Like

Illness' as well.

Dr. Waters says more people are testing positive for the flu virus now than the

same time last year. According to the Influenza-Like-Illness Surveillance

Network, at the end of 2009, less than five percent of Alabama patients who

visited the doctor had flu-like symptoms. Exactly one year later, almost sixteen

percent of patients now say they feel like they may have the flu.

" You'd think it would kinda happen in your colder climates first and then come

down this way " , said Dr Waters, " So it's a little bit surprising, but it can

happen anywhere in the country it just depends. You get a few case studies and

it spreads out. "

The Mobile County Health Department could not explain why Alabama would be one

of the top states for the flu virus right now, but said it's not too late to get

vaccinated. " If people were getting their immunization, their vaccine, the cases

wouldn't be as high, " said Mann with the Mobile County Health Department.

" So that's why we are always urging people to take the precautions, not only

getting the vaccinations, but keeping your hands clean. "

Luckily, the CDC report also says the current flu strain matches this season's

flu vaccine, so you'd be safe to get it. The peak of flu season doesn't usually

come around until mid-January or February.

The immunization is only $8 at the Mobile County Health Department, which is

about $20 cheaper than many other doctor's offices in the area.

Health officials say there are more than 23,000 flu-related deaths in the U.S

every year.

" One of the reasons it's more prevalent this time of the year is people are in

closer contact, the schools are in session, people spend more time inside with

one another. So it's easier for the illness to be transmitted, " said Mann

with the Mobile County Health Department.

[Guest guest]

The article doesn't mention it but Alabama and Mississippi have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. This isn't so hard to understand when you also look at the demographics including low education, high rates of welfare, unemployment, etc. That is probably why it is spreading so fast down there.

Here in Virginia there are similar pockets. It is also telling that certain areas of Virginia with like statistics as those above have above national averages rates of infection for various STDs, including many that were fairly rare until the last 10 years or so. You also see lots of people in the stores coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths nor even ducking their heads at least. Its a wonder there isn't more sickness around than there is.

In a message dated 1/4/2011 12:55:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, no_reply writes:

CDC: Flu Outbreak in Alabama, Miss.