Eastern Oklahoma accounts for two-thirds of state’s flu-related hospitalizations so far this season | Health

There have been 32 influenza-associated hospitalizations in Oklahoma since Sept. 1, according to information released Thursday by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Twenty-four of those hospitalizations occurred in Tulsa County, east-central Oklahoma and northeast Oklahoma. No deaths have been recorded for the 2018-19 flu season.

“Flu is unpredictable,” Casey Van Woerkom, a Health Department epidemiologist, said. “We may see clusterized areas at the beginning of a season. There can be similar patterns at a national level.”

Van Woerkom said there is no specific factor making northeastern Oklahoma more prone to flu outbreaks than other areas. State health officials anticipate transmission of the virus to occur and to spread.

“The flu shot is going to be one of the best protections you have,” he said.

Preventing transmission includes simple efforts such as washing one’s hands, avoiding public contact if symptoms are present and covering coughs and sneezes. Health officials recommend receiving the immunization prior to the end of October so that, “before you’re in the thick of it (flu season), you’ll be fully protected,” Van Woerkom said.

Last flu season, between September 2017 and May 2018, saw 291 deaths and 4,819 hospitalizations across Oklahoma. Last year’s flu shot was only 10 percent to 30 percent effective, according to a previous story. However, medical professionals recommend vaccination regardless. Getting a flu vaccine annually can boost the body’s ability to protect itself if past strains resurface, as happened several years ago with swine flu.

The 2018-19 seasonal flu vaccination requires only one shot for most people, but those younger than 9 who have not received two flu immunizations before July 1 will need a second dose at least four weeks after receiving the first dose, according to the Tulsa Health Department.