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Officials see more cases of flu
The Cabell-Huntington Health Department will be offering the first public swine flu vaccine clinic for children and young adults, ages 6 months to 24 years old from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at New Baptist Church.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- As winter settles in and people gather to celebrate holidays, health experts want everyone to take precautions to stay healthy.
Flu season typically wraps up around April or May, and cases of both seasonal and H1N1 flu may be seen until then, according to Elizabeth Ayers, public information officer for the Cabell-Huntington Health Department.
"It seems that we will have been hit with this for a year," Ayers said.
Swine flu is now widespread in most states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Locally, Ayers said more cases of seasonal flu have been seen lately.
Either way, Ayers said people should know that both seasonal and H1N1 vaccines are good for the whole year.
H1N1 clinics are scheduled to take place in Huntington from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 1 and 2, at the Cam Henderson Center at Marshall University on 3rd Avenue. The clinics are free to high-risk individuals who work or live in Cabell County or the city of Huntington, including people who are six months to 24 years old, pregnant women and nursing mothers, people who live with or care for children under six months old, adults 24 to 64 years who have chronic health conditions, and health care workers who provide direct patient care with acutely ill patients.
The health department is also hosting an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, in the Don Morris room of the Marshall University Student Center. The meeting will focus on the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine and medical information and will give people the chance to ask questions.
Ayers said parents with children ages 9 and younger should remember they need a second dose of H1N1 vaccine. Any child who received an H1N1 vaccine on Oct. 22 or Oct. 28 is eligible for the second dose on Dec. 1 or 2.
Ample free parking is available at the Cam Henderson Center clinics, according to Amy Saunders, coordinator of student health education programs at Marshall.
Saunders said the public may park on 3rd Avenue in the parking garage across the street from the center or in the stadium lot.
She said the flu on campus has somewhat mirrored what's been seen in the community. She said there have been reports, but she's hearing less of those in the last few weeks. Even so, the university continues to promote prevention and encourage students to practice good hygiene habits.
At least 14 deaths associated with the flu have occurred in West Virginia in the 2009 flu season, according to the CDC. Four people have died in Cabell County.
In terms of prevention, Ayers said West Virginia has likely fared better than many states, having received many more vaccines.
"We are right up there with ordering our vaccine and doing everything as best we can," she said. "The second (the vaccine) was available, we put our request in."
This holiday season, Ayers said people need to remain cautious to prevent the spread of germs, especially in large crowds.
"The winter months are upon us now, and especially with the holiday season, people are going to be indoors more," she said.
She advised the public should maintain frequent hand washing and stay home when sick.
More information is available by calling the flu hotline at 304-526-3397.
