DOVER, DELAWARE (1/15/2015) Four new flu deaths this week have brought the state’s total fatalities this season to 15, officials report.
There have been more than 1,600 lab-confirmed cases of flu across Delaware.
The latest flu fatality, a Kent County resident, was reported today.
This season’s toll is more than twice the number of fatalities for any full flu season in recent years, officials said.
While one of those who died from the illness was 53 years old, all of the others were over 65, and all had underlying health conditions, officials of the state Division of Public Health said.
“The number of deaths is unprecedented compared to recent years. We are extremely concerned,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf.
Dr. Karyl Rattay, director of the division of public health, said, “This year the flu is causing serious illness and fatalities among seniors regardless of whether someone lives at home or in long-term care, their type of underlying health condition, or geographic location.”
Rattay urged extra precautions to protect people’s health, and the division provided these tips:
- Ensure all your loved ones are vaccinated against the illness. Vaccines are available from Division of Public Health clinics, physicians, pharmacies, and many grocery stores.
- If you are receiving treatment in a long-term care facility or in-home care, ask if the staff is vaccinated against the flu and, if not, the staff person should be wearing a mask at all times.
- Visits at home or in a facility should be limited if the visitor is under age 16, or has the flu or is at risk of exposure to the flu. The illness can be transmitted prior to someone showing symptoms.
- If living with a senior and a family member contracts the flu, keep the two separate as much as possible and ensure everyone in the home follows sanitary precautions.
- Wash hands frequently with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after you cough, sneeze or touch your face.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow. Droplets from a sneeze can travel up to six feet.
- Stay home when sick and do not return to work or school until 24 hours after a fever is gone.
The Division of Public Health urges medical providers to consider treating any senior or vulnerable individual with flu-like symptom with anti-viral medication. Anti-virals are most effective when administered within 48 hours of the start of symptoms.
Others most vulnerable are the very young, pregnant women and those who recently gave birth, and people with underlying medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, and individuals with weak immune systems.
Following the lead of Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, most Delaware hospitals have restricted young visitors to help prevent the spread of flu.