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Influenza cases have increased in West Virginia in recent weeks, a health official said Tuesday.
According to the available data, influenza activity has been widespread throughout the United States for two weeks, said Lauren Spadafora, influenza coordinator of the state's Department of Health and Human Resources.
This means that, along with laboratory data on the virus in the state, influenza outbreaks or an increased number of cases of flu-like illness have been reported in at least half of the state's geographic areas.
According to the office, when flu-like cases exceed 2%, high rates of influenza transmission are likely.
"With respect to influenza-like illnesses, outpatient providers who have so graciously provided this data have seen the most, or the largest percentage of [influenza-like illness] these last two weeks declared, "said Spadafora. "So we're sort of at the top of the hill, as far as I know. We could have another hill, but I'm not sure yet. "
The H3N2 virus, a subtype of influenza A considered serious, has also been reported among the state's influenza cases, Spadafora said.
"This has been associated with more hospitalizations and deaths when it predominates during the influenza season," she said. "During the flu season, several types of influenza viruses circulate in humans. People like to label [H3N2] as a more serious virus, and this is also what has prevailed during the very severe influenza season of last year. "
The increase in the number of H3N2 cases could mean that this year's influenza season could last for a while, she said.
"It's common to have a second wave [of flu activity]Spadafora said: "Last year, a second wave of influenza B spread [the flu season] early April or May. "
Nationally, the total number of influenza-like cases reported by health care providers decreased slightly to 4.7%, which is above the national baseline of 2%. , 2%, according to the CDC.
It is difficult to say what percentage of the state's influenza cases are of the H3N2 subtype; Spadafora stated that the majority of the positive laboratory tests it has completed identify the virus as either type A or type B, but do not identify a subtype.
Of the laboratory results that identify a subtype, 30% to 50% of cases since Christmas have been subtype H3N2, she said.
To prevent the transmission of the H3N2 virus, health officials recommend the same precautions as for other types of viruses: stay home when you're sick, get vaccinated against the flu, wash your hands and cover your mouth when you cough.
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