H1N1 is still a threat

By Curtis Dickson

Linn County Public Health Director

Editor's note: Gazette columnist Todd Dorman is on vacation. His column will resume next week.

Well, it seems that the heavy outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Linn County and surrounding area has slowed to a trickle. Many individuals have already come down with the “flu,” and surely, once infected, you are protected and no longer need to search for what has become a scarce vaccine.

This so-called “pandemic” has been overblown anyhow. Right?

Wrong!

Yes, we are currently on the tail end of the second major wave of H1N1 influenza. (The first occurred last spring.) But every major public health expert and medical scientist in the country continues to warn us that influenza comes in several waves, and the third wave of H1N1 is expected right after Christmas, when a lot of people have been “out and about” and in proximity.

Those same scientists remind us this H1N1 outbreak is a pandemic - a worldwide epidemic that continues to cause greater illness, hospitalizations and deaths than normal seasonal flu.

Seasonal flu is also expected to begin a major wave after the Christmas holidays, and individuals are strongly urged to get vaccinations for both H1N1 and seasonal flu. The federal Centers for Disease Control urges H1N1 vaccinations even if you think you had an actual case of H1N1. It will only boost your immune system.

Linn County Public Health has three mass clinics scheduled at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday and Thursday. These may be the last mass clinics in the county until sometime in the new year.

We have some 2,160 individuals signed up for these clinics, but the clinic on Thursday, from 1 to 4 p.m., is a walk-in clinic - first come first served. We plan to be prepared to vaccinate up to 720 individuals Thursday afternoon. Come and be protected.

You must be in one of the five high-risk populations: pregnant women, caregivers (including day-care workers) or family members of infants under six months, health and emergency workers (including law enforcement), all individuals 6 months to 24 years, and individuals 25 to 64 with an underlying medical condition.

This H1N1 influenza is attacking children and young people at a much greater rate than normal seasonal flu. It is a dangerous flu for those with chronic medical issues.

Already, we have had 27 deaths in Iowa, including three in Linn County and two in Johnson County (as of Thanksgiving). You should not take the risk with your health or life, or those of your children.