Flu at 'epidemic status' – all ages need vaccine

STATE — Health officials are urging vaccination as one of the most severe influenza seasons in a decade rages across the country.

According to Dr. Sheila Pinette, director of Maine Center for Disease Control, influenza in Maine has reached "widespread epidemic status."

"We have exceeded normal numbers that we have during flu season and it is affecting all populations, especially the most vulnerable and all counties in the state," said Pinette, Friday.

The state is currently reaching capacity for available emergency department resources and skilled nursing facilities, Pinette said.

According to an MECDC flu surveillance report, outbreaks – meaning one or more cases of the virus – have been recorded in four long-term care facilities in Oxford County so far this season.

Fifty-seven outbreaks have been recorded in the state since October, 27 from January 1-8 alone.

Reporting influenza is not mandated, so the number of outbreaks recorded by MECDC through testing represent a fraction of cases.

"Because this is rapidly progressing and evolving and very fluid, it's hard to predict numbers at any one time, but I would expect we have more today," Pinette said.

According to Barbara Allen, vice president for development and community relations at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, the hospital has been spared the full brunt of the virus.

In an email, Allen said only three patients presented with flu-like symptoms at the SMH Emergency Department last week.

"We are fortunate that we haven't been overwhelmed like hospitals in other parts of the state," Allen said.

According to Pinette, an early onset of flu season and rapid escalation of the virus have made this year one of the most severe in a decade.

The severity of the "swine flu" pandemic in 2009-2010 can be marked down to the fact that the appropriate vaccine wasn't available until many people had already picked up the virus, Pinette said.

Although this year's flu season is particularly severe, the state has an adequate supply of flu vaccine and anti-viral drugs to deal with the illness.

"The cornerstone of therapy is to get people vaccinated," Pinette said.

It is highly recommended that everyone over 6 months of age get vaccinated. In the past it has been recommended that children and the elderly are most in need of seasonal flu vaccines. For this flu, everyone should be vaccinated, according to experts.

Three types of flu have been documented in the state, with influenza A/H3 the predominant strain.

Pinette said this year's influenza vaccine covers all three strains and urged prompt vaccination for those who have not already received it.

"Immunization will probably decrease your chances of going to the doctor by 62 percent."

This year's epidemic is affecting people nationwide. Already, 47 states have been impacted, but because of early onset, the east coast has been hit particularly hard, Pinette explained.

It is hard to tell when the flow of new outbreaks will start to ebb, Pinette said – she estimates the flu season will last at least another eight to 12 weeks but cannot say for certain if, or when, it might peak.

"Basically, we're not able to predict if we're at the peak yet or how severe it will get," Pinette said.

"That's the thing with flu, you can't predict."