According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Influenza (flu) activity levels are, according to the information compiled for week #51 (for the week ending December 23rd), continuing to rise across the state.

The flu is a very contagious respiratory illness. Some of the symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue.  The ADPH says “This increased rate of flu activity is concerning because influenza can be a serious disease for anyone; that includes children, pregnant women, and previously healthy young adults,”  

Influenza reports/activity increased in seven of the eight Public health Districts in the state during week #51.

An annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months and older, and is the best prevention against getting the flu.  Physicians, pharmacists and your county health departments can provide flu vaccinations for Alabamians.  You are advised to request the “quadrivalent vaccine,” the one that protects against four influenza strains, because one of the strains that is in circulation in Alabama (Type B/Yamagata) is ONLY included in THAT quadrivalent vaccine.

In addition to taking the flu vaccine, other common-sense measures can reduce or prevent the spread of influenza. These include staying at home when sick, covering the mouth and nose with a tissue/cloth when coughing or sneezing, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently.

Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Data

As part of the CDC’s U.S. Outpatient Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet), 84 healthcare providers in Alabama report the number of patients with ILI by age group and the total number of patients seen each week. ILI is defined as fever that is greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) AND cough and/or sore throat (in the absence of a known cause other than influenza). There is no requirement for a positive influenza test when determining the number of patients with ILI.

Seven outbreaks of ILI or influenza were investigated in the Northern, Northeastern, West Central, South Eastern, and Mobile Districts of the state.

If you are interested in becoming an ILINet participant, please email Infectious & Outbreaks Diseases Division, call 1-800-338-8374, or complete and fax the ADPH ILINet Application.

Viral Surveillance

ADPH’s viral surveillance depends on hospitals and healthcare providers to voluntarily submit specimens from ILI patients to BCL throughout the year for influenza detection and subtype information. Influenza specimen submissions from healthcare providers help answer the questions of where, when, and what influenza viruses are circulating. ADPH requests that hospitals submit specimens for admitted patients with ILI and all physicians submit specimens for pregnant patients with ILI, as well as recent international travelers with ILI.

Any provider can submit influenza specimens for BCL testing. To find out more about ordering a flu kit, specimen collection, , and shipping instructions, see the Quick Guide for Influenza Specimen Submission or the detailed Guidance for Lab Testing for Influenza Viruses.

CDC Influenza Control and Outbreak Guidelines

• Schools and Childcare Providers – Educators and staff can help slow the spread of colds and flu. On this page, you will find information on preventing the flu as well as materials and tools for schools.
• Institutional Outbreaks and Infection Control – Guidelines for various settings, respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
• Long-term Care Facilities – Consolidated guidance on influenza outbreak management and prevention

 

Additional Information for Health Professionals

• Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2017–18 Influenza Season
  • 2017-18 ACIP Background (CDC)
  • 2017-18 Summary of Recommendations (CDC)
  • 2017-18 Full Recommendations (CDC)
• Packing and Shipping of Influenza Specimens
• Influenza (Flu) Viruses (CDC)
• Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Information (CDC)
• Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Virus (CDC)
• Fact Sheet: Protect Yourself Against H3N2v (CDC)
• Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings
• FluView – A Weekly Influenza Activity and Surveillance Report
• Determine if it’s the Flu or Ebola

 

Have Influenza Immunization Questions?

Contact the ADPH Immunization Division toll-free at 1-800-469-4599 between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday.  Calls are directed to Alabama Department of  Public Health nurses who will provide flu immunization information.

Get Vaccinated

• Call your healthcare provider or county health department to schedule your seasonal flu vaccination.
• Seasonal flu vaccine is usually given from October through March each year. Each year the flu vaccine is updated to fight current flu strains.
• Myth: Receiving the flu shot will make you sick.
  Truth: The flu shot is made with an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) and cannot infect anyone.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses.
• Don’t get flu vaccine if you are allergic to eggs, had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past, developed Guillian-Barré syndrome (GBS), are less than six months of age, or if you have a moderate or severe illness with fever.

 

Wash Your Hands

1. Wet your hands with warm running water and apply soap.
   2. Rub hands together to make lather and scrub all surfaces for 20 seconds.
   3. Rinse hands well under running water.
   4. Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer.
   5. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.

No soap and water? Use alcohol-based hand gel.
1. Apply gel to palm.
2. Rub the gel over all surfaces and fingers until dry.

Wash your hands immediately after:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Using the bathroom
• Handling garbage, animals, and animal waste
• Handling dirty dishes, trash, and laundry
• Being in contact with sick people
• Touching doorknobs, phones, etc.

 

Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with either a tissue or your upper sleeve.
• Droplets from a cough or sneeze can travel up to six feet.
• Avoid crowds and shaking hands during outbreaks.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

 

Stay Home with Fever

Stay at home when you have a fever of 100 degrees F or higher.

Return to normal social and work activities only after you’ve been fever-free without taking fever reducing medicine for 24 hours.

Other flu symptoms may include:

• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Chills

 

Stockpile Supplies

Buy one item each time you shop to build a two- to four-week stockpile.

Stockpile supplies should include:

• Soap and alcohol-based (60% minimum) hand sanitizer
• Fever/pain reducer, cold/flu symptom medications, and anti-diarrheal medications
• Thermometer
• Prescription medications, medical supplies, and equipment
• Pedialyte, juices, electrolyte drinks, and bottled water
• Tissue, paper tissue, and paper towels
• Household cleaners, bleach, rubber gloves, face masks, garbage bags
• Non-perishable food that is easy to prepare such as canned soup, granola bars, and crackers
• Baby food and diapers, if needed
• Pet food, if needed

 

Clean and Disinfect

• Frequently wipe surfaces like door knobs, phones, faucet, and food preparation areas with household disinfectant.
• Always follow label instruction.
• Keep disinfectants away from children, pets, heat, flames, and electrical equipment.
• Don’t share linens, utensils, or dishes without washing first.
• Avoid “hugging” laundry from a sick person.

 

Know Your Office Emergency Plan

Employees should know their office emergency plan.

An Emergency Plan is also known as a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), Operations Plan (Op Plan), or Business Strategic Plan.

All organizations should have an emergency plan that addresses critical functions, critical staff, order of succession, vital records, alternate work arrangements, and communications.

Review personnel policies that penalize staff for staying home when they have a fever.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends all employers to assess the flu exposure risk for all employees. The Know Your Emergency Plan (1.8 MB) can assist employers and employees determine risk based on occupation and give examples to reduce exposure risk at work.

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), in partnership with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), recommends all public and private organizations plan and prepare in the case of an emergency, including a pandemic. The purpose of a COOP is to ensure your organization’s essential services continue, assets are protected, and rapid recovery after an emergency event. Please remember the COOP process is a journey, not a destination.

Learn Home Care

• Keep a record of fever, other symptoms, and medications given.
• Get plenty of rest and drink clear fluids. Clear fluids include water, broth, sports drinks, and electrolyte beverages for infants.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about a diabetic sick day plan.
• If you have been vomiting, wait four hours after vomiting stops to try eating. Eat small amounts of easily digested foods, such as rice, toast, Jell-O, bananas, and apple sauce. Sip fluids.
• Read the ingredients and follow the directions on medications to relieve sore throat, stuffy nose, cough, fever, aches, nausea, and diarrhea.
• Do not give aspirin to children under age of 19; use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) as directed.

 

Call Your Doctor If Symptoms Get Worse

For children symptoms include:

• Fast breathing, trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Extreme irritability
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or interacting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

 

For adults symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Sudden dizziness
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

 

Stay Informed

Remember influenza can occur anytime of the year, so stay informed and “Do 10 – Fight the Flu.” 

For national flu information, go to Flu.gov or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For state flu information, request a subscription to the SHARE listserv at 1-866-264-4073.