The flu continues to be on the rise across the state, but cases seem to be declining in Grant County, according to some local providers.
The New Mexico Department of Health reported a continued increase in flu cases reported across the state in a news release on Feb. 9, but while cases have continued to increase in the northern, central and southeastern parts of the state, the southwestern region, which includes Grant, Luna, Hidalgo, Catron, Sierra, Socorro and Dona Ana counties, has seen the only decrease, dropping from 7.4 percent to 6.9 percent last week.
Gila Regional Medical Center has seen a decrease in cases, according to Chief Nursing Officer Peggy White, the hospital’s new marketing director, Doug Oakes, told the Daily Press. So far, the hospital has seen 145 confirmed cases of the flu since flu season began in October, with 83 percent of those being Influenza A and 17 percent Influenza B, and 226 cases of influenza or other influenza-like illness since October. But cases have continued to decline since December, when they saw a high of 67 cases. January saw 59 confirmed cases at GRMC, with just 15 in February so far. No cases were reported in October and only four in November.
“As you can see, we’re trending down from the beginning of the flu season,” said Infection Control Specialist Sue Lakey.
HMS reported 80 confirmed flu cases this season and Silver Health Care did not respond to a request for information.
David Morgan, a public information officer with the Department of Health, said the good news is that the H3N2 strain, which this year’s vaccine is less effective against because it wasn’t a dominant strain last year, is starting to decrease. The state has also seen a slowdown in the number of flu- or pneumonia-related deaths this season. So far, as of last Friday, there have been 28 adult flu deaths in the state, and 100 pneumonia-related deaths. Fortunately, the state has not seen any pediatric flu deaths since 2015-16.
“New Mexico has been lucky in that respect,” he said.
Flu-related hospitalizations, especially in those age 65 and older, continue to steadily increase across the state. Since October, the Department of Health has investigated 27 flu outbreaks in long-term-care facilities, a number that is already higher than the number of outbreaks investigated the entire 2016-17 flu season.
Morgan said while flu season is beginning to wind down, we are not out of the woods yet as the Type B strain starts to peak in the second half of flu season, which is where we are now.
The advice on how to avoid getting the flu remains the same: Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and — whenever possible — stay home when you’re sick. A mild case of flu for one person could be deadly to someone else. And it’s not too late to get a flu shot. While this year’s vaccination is a bit less effective in preventing the flu, particularly the H3N2 strain, it can still offer protection from several strains of flu, including Influenza B – the strain that is now being reported more frequently across the state and nation. The flu vaccine does not cause the flu, said Dr. Darrick Nelson, chief medical officer for HMS.
People in high risk categories particularly should receive antiviral medication as soon as possible if they are diagnosed with the flu. Those include pregnant women, children younger than five, those 65 and older, anyone with a chronic medical condition, like asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease, nursing home residents, pediatric health care providers and caregivers of babies younger than 6 months old, Native Americans, and the morbidly obese.
Steve Jones, pharmacy manager at CVS, said earlier this year they ran out of Tamiflu, an antiviral available by prescription, but have a pretty good stock now. He said while demand for it has declined as flu cases have dropped, he still sees three or four prescriptions a day for it. Jones said the pharmacy also ran out of flu vaccines around the beginning of the year, but just got 10 in the other day and have already used five.
The New Mexico Department of Health public health offices still have a supply of vaccines and offer free flu shots to those with or without insurance — while supplies last.
Susan Garrison, a nurse practitioner with the Grant County Public Health Office, said folks should call first, just to make sure someone is available to give the shot, but no appointment is required. No one is available on Thursdays, but most other weekdays should be fine, she said. The office is located at 2610 N. Silver St. and open from 8 to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 575-538-5318. Press option 4 for the clinical department. If you have insurance, bring your insurance card, but the shot is still free to those who have no insurance.
And if you don’t have the flu, but just a cough and cold, there is a New Mexico cure for that, said Jones. Eat green chile. Or red. The heat will make your nose run and your forehead sweat, and give you a productive cough, to help clear you up.
“Drink lots of fluids, wash your hands, don’t touch your mouth or nose, or rub your eyes, and eat lots of green chile,” he said.
Christine Steele may be reached at christine@scdailypress.com.
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