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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: April 09, 2018
DHSS-04-2018

FLU NOT FINISHED IN DELAWARE; THREE MORE DIE FROM INFLUENZA COMPLICATIONS

DOVER (April 09, 2018) -Influenza can spread well into the spring and even summer months, and is still active in Delaware despite a declining number of cases. As of the week ending March 31, 2018, the Division of Public Health (DPH) has confirmed 8,182 cases of the flu for the season, and 34 flu-related deaths. There were 216 cases reported during the last week for which numbers are available (March 25 to 31, 2018), a sharp contrast to the season-high single-week total of 1,521 cases during the week of February 11 to 17, 2018.

The three most recent deaths in Delaware include a Sussex County male and two Kent County females, ranging in age from 80 to 99. All three had multiple underlying health conditions. The next highest total of flu-related deaths since record-keeping began (2004-2005 flu season) was 28 deaths in the 2014-2015 season. Despite the drop in the overall number of weekly flu cases, DPH is urging residents not to be fooled into thinking flu season is over.

"This flu season has been incredibly harsh both nationally and here at home," said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. "We can't express enough condolences to the families who have lost a loved one due to the flu. After the winter months, some may have the tendency to think the flu is no longer a threat, but flu germs can circulate well into the summer, so we should all continue to take preventive measures against influenza, particularly social distancing."

Social distancing means that if you are sick, do not go to school, work, or other social functions until you are fever-free (temperature less than 100 degrees F; 37.8 degrees C) for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Wash your hands frequently and sneeze or cough into a tissue which you immediately dispose of. If you don't have a tissue available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow.

DPH continues to emphasize the importance of calling your primary care provider at the first sign of illness and taking antivirals as directed, if prescribed. You should go to either your physician or a walk-in clinic rather than the emergency room when symptoms are non-life threatening. People who are extremely ill with symptoms such as trouble breathing, bluish skin color, fever with a rash, dizziness, or severe or persistent vomiting should seek immediate medical help.

For more information about flu surveillance in Delaware, read the weekly flu report at http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/epi/influenzawkly.html. For general information about the flu, visit http://flu.Delaware.gov .

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person's spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com

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. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

FLU NOT FINISHED IN DELAWARE; THREE MORE DIE FROM INFLUENZA COMPLICATIONS

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