LITTLE ROCK — Influenza has contributed to at least five deaths in Arkansas so far this season, state epidemiologist Dirk Haselow said Friday.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the week ended Dec. 22, Arkansas and 30 other states were experiencing “widespread” flu activity, which is based on geographical reach rather than intensity of symptoms.
“By all accounts, this year has the makings of a bad year,” Haselow said. “We’re seeing it everywhere. It’s early and it appears to be severe. The flu season is here in force.”
According to the Arkansas Department of Health’s website, healthy.arkansas.gov, those most susceptible to the flu are children under age 5and adults 65 and older.
“Usually, the deaths are in people who have underlying medical conditions, and that is what we’re seeing this year as well,” Haselow said, mentioning congenital heart disease and immune system disorders.
Haselow said about 25,000 people nationwide die of flu-related illnesses every year. The flu can lead to pneumonia, which is often listed as the cause of death.
The CDC estimates that the number of seasonal deaths nationwide from 1976-77 to 2006-07 ranged from 3,000 to 49,000. According to CDC statistics, one child in Arkansas died of flu-related illness last season.
The flu season is generally from November through March, Haselow said.
According to a Nov. 9, 2011, article in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, using information provided by the Arkansas Department of Health, the state had 11 documented flu-related deaths in 2010 and 53 the previous year, when swine flu was a problem.
Haselow said he didn’t know more recent statistics for the number of flu-associated deaths in Arkansas, and the people at the Health Department who would know were out Friday.
The state Health Department doesn’t disclose any details about the deaths, citing privacy laws. About 50 physicians around Arkansas serve as “sentinel providers” and report flu information to the Health Department. Their information is sent to the CDC.
Haselow said he encourages Arkansans to get a flu shot. Doctors offices, some pharmacies and county health departments provide shots, he said.
Arkansas, Pages 14 on 12/29/2012