N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services Update on 2014-15 Flu Season | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    As flu season is progressing, we want to make you aware that the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services continues to update its flu web page, www.flu.nc.gov, to ensure we are providing the most current information to the public, media and healthcare providers in an easily accessible manner. Please guide your viewers, readers and listeners to this page as an important resource for staying informed during this year's especially difficult flu season.

    Today's updated numbers show a significant increase in flu surveillance activity as well as overall deaths. Important factors to note are:

    The number of reported flu-associated deaths tends to lag behind other measures of flu activity by a few weeks. This lag is because of several factors, including the time between illness onset and death (sometimes days or weeks); the time required for testing and reporting; and the time required for health departments to complete their investigation of each case.

    Given the dramatic increase in flu activity that began in mid-December, we expect to see a continued rise in the numbers of reported flu-associated deaths over the coming weeks.

    During seasons like this one in which H3N2 is the predominant strain, we expect to see higher number of deaths among the elderly.

    Remember, it is not to late to vaccinate. The flu vaccine protects against three or four strains of flu, depending on which formulation you receive. Although H3N2 is the predominant strain right now and is not covered by the vaccine, other strains could circulate more widely later this season.

    Thank you for helping keep our citizens informed and for guiding them to the latest information at www.flu.nc.gov to help protect themselves and their loved ones.

    Kendra Gerlach
       Director, Office of Communications & Public Affairs

    N.C. Department of Health & Human Services Adams Building,
         101 Blair Drive, Raleigh, NC 27699-2001

         Phone: (919) 855-4840  •  www.ncdhhs.gov