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Flu virus 'widespread' across state

plenty of vaccine left

February 08, 2008|Katheran Wasson

The influenza virus is now classified as "widespread" in Kentucky, the state Department for Public Health announced Thursday.

But there is still plenty of flu vaccine left in Clark County, and plenty of time to get vaccinated, said Scott Lockard, director of the Clark County Health Department.

"As we're seeing the increased spread of influenza across the state, it's very important that people get vaccinated," he said. "We have had no confirmed cases here in Clark County, so this is a great opportunity for us to get protected."

Although the biggest push to vaccinate the public comes in the fall, Lockard said a flu shot now would still be effective. The body builds immunity to the virus seven to 14 days after getting the vaccine. There are still more than 500 doses of the flu vaccine available through the Clark County Health Department.

"We can head it (flu outbreak) off now if we make sure enough people are vaccinated," Lockard said.

Schools in nearby Woodford, Scott and Harrison counties were closed late this week because so many students were home sick with the virus.

Clark County Public Schools have, so far, avoided closing. Superintendent Ed Musgrove said if district-wide attendance drops below 90 percent, schools will be canceled. Attendance in the district is at 92 percent, he said, although some schools have dropped below the 90-percent mark.

"We just have to hope it (the flu outbreak) is very short-lived, and monitor it every day," Musgrove said.

The Clark County Public Schools system usually has approximately 95 percent attendance during the winter months and 98 percent during healthier times.

The Department for Public Health has confirmed flu cases in at least half of Kentucky's regions. The "widespread" classification is the highest level of flu activity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu virus can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches. Flu is responsible for approximately 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year in the United States, and infants and the elderly face the highest risk.

Clark County residents can call the Health Department at 744-4482 to schedule an appointment for the flu vaccine.

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