San Diego flu cases up again

The number of lab-confirmed influenza cases in the region increased again, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced Wednesday, Nov. 13.

A total of 74 flu cases were reported last week in San Diego County, 22 more than the 52 reported the previous week.

“We’re seeing a steady increase in flu cases in recent weeks, a sign that influenza activity in the region is growing,” Dr. Wilma Wooten, county public health officer, said.

Last week’s flu case total is more than double the 33 lab-confirmed cases reported during the same week last season. To date, three San Diegans have died from influenza this season, compared to one death at the same time last year. Last season, 77 people in the region died from complications from the flu.

The county Health and Human Services Agency publishes the Influenza Watch weekly report, which tracks key flu indicators and summarizes influenza surveillance in the region. The report is released every Wednesday during the flu season.

For the week ending Nov. 9, the Influenza Watch report shows emergency department visits for influenza-like illness are 3% of all visits, compared to 3% the previous week.

There were 475 total lab-confirmed cases to date, compared to 190 cases last season.

People should do the following to avoid getting sick:

- Wash hands thoroughly and often.

- Use hand sanitizers.

- Stay away from sick people.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

- Clean commonly touched surfaces.

If someone is sick, they should stay home and avoid contact with others.

The flu vaccine is available at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. If anyone doesn’t have medical insurance, they can go to a county public health center to get vaccinated. For a list of locations, visit http://www.sdiz.org or call 211 San Diego.