Influenza activity is increasing across Alabama, including in the Tuscaloosa area where 62 positive cases were reported last week.
"Providers reporting increased percentages of patients with influenza-like illness and influenza samples sent to public health provide an indication of the geographic spread of influenza in Alabama," said Dr. Karen Landers, Northeastern District medical officer, in a statement released by the Alabama Department of Public Health. "This is concerning because influenza can be a serious disease for anyone, even children, pregnant women and previously healthy young adults."
Providers in Alabama reported 3.59 percent of outpatient visits were due to influenza-like illness, according to the state health department. North, central and east Alabama show significant influenza-like activity.
Influenza-like activity is defined as a fever greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a cough and/or sore throat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Last week, West Alabama also showed significant activity. DCH Regional Medical Center conducted 319 tests, of which 62, or 19.4 percent, were positive, according to information released Monday. During the same period last year, there were 175 tests at DCH, of which nine were positive. There were 36 positive cases in the first week of December. DCH saw its first positive case in mid-September.
The flu season in West Alabama last year peaked in early February. The peak week of the flu season last year recorded 76 cases.
“Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. It’s not too late to get a flu shot to protect against this serious disease. People become protected about two weeks after receiving the vaccine," Landers said.
Contact your physician, pharmacy or the Tuscaloosa County Health Department at 562-6900 for more information about where to get an influenza vaccination.
Health officials say the flu is spreading across the nation, with a dozen states now reporting widespread flu cases just ahead of the holiday season, according to the Associated Press.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta says the following 12 states are reporting widespread cases of the flu: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The Deep South is among the hardest-hit regions, with Louisiana and Mississippi reporting high levels of flu-like illness.