Late flu outbreak across Delmarva
Delaware announced it’s first flu related death on Friday, in the midst of a late outbreak near the end of peak flu season. According to Delaware’s Division of Public Health, the past week has shown a significant spike in confirmed flu cases. Data from the week of March 6-12 shows over 400 cases, more than double that the first week of March.
ExpressCare in Salisbury says they have seen a similar spike in patients with flu related symptoms. Lainey Ruffner, a physician’s assistant at ExpressCare, says that the typical months of peak flu season are January and February, but this year seems to have held off until now.
All three states on Delmarva are currently under the category of “widespread” influenza activity. Last year in Virginia, the 7th week of the year was the final week considered widespread, while the 7th week in 2016 is the first. Maryland and Delaware’s flu activity charts show similar trends according to their respective department’s of health.
People across Delmarva are taking notice. Joshua Fisher from Baltimore calls it an Epidemic and says he’s always trying to stay healthy. While Frankie Moses, a self proclaimed germophobe, says she was on top of it by always washing her hands.
Although washing hands is important, Ruffner tells 47ABC that it’s important to be aware of the surface’s that we touch that don’t get much thought of as germ hotbeds. These things include cell phones, and keyboards as well as door knobs. She says that is usually the way viruses like the flu are spread.
Maryland Flu Statistics:
http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/influenza/fluwatch/Pages/Home.aspx
Virginia Flu Statistics:
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/flu/Surveillance.htm
Delaware Flu Statistics:
