Flu in Illinois leveling off, not going away

Posted on January 25, 2018
Flu shot
The Illinois Department of Public Health continues to recommend people get their flu shot even as there seems to be a lull in flu cases.
(Flickr/USACEEuropeDis)

 

By Illinois Radio Network and Howard Packowitz

ILLINOIS – The flu in Illinois isn’t going away anytime soon.

The Illinois Department of Public Health says its latest report for the Centers for Disease Control shows a dip in cases, as flu season is leveling off after local authorities reported last month that three people had died from the flu in McLean County.

The state’s latest report for the second week of the year shows flu cases are down from their peak in December and are holding steady.

Melaney Arnold with the Illinois Department of Public Health health said that doesn’t mean that flu season is ending.

“Flu is unpredictable. We could see an increase later on,” Arnold said.

“There are different strains of the flu. H3N2 has been the predominant strain, but there are other strains that circulate. Including H1N1 and Influenza B strains, those typically come a little bit later in the season.”

Arnold says that’s why the health department still wants people to get a flu shot.

Illinois’ report says 175 people were checked into intensive care because of the flu in the second week of 2018, which makes 830 admissions for this flu season. One child has died.

Doctors say this year’s flu shot is about 20 percent effective. That’s far less than the 50 percent to 60 percent the vaccine usually carries.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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