LI Flu Cases Increase By 5 Percent; State Numbers Spike

LONG ISLAND, NY — The number of Long Islanders who have come down with the flu increased by 5 percent, after only barely increasing last week, thanks to a downturn in flu cases in Nassau County. However, for the week ending Jan. 18, both Nassau and Suffolk counties saw increases in the number of flu cases.

In the most recent flu activity report for the week ending Jan. 18, state health officials said there were 13,483 cases of influenza statewide, a 22 percent increase from the previous week. There were 1,756 related hospitalizations, which is down by 5 percent.

Last week, both strains of the virus proved prevalent throughout the state, with 7,113 cases reported for the A strain and 6,339 reported for the B strain. There were 31 cases for which the strain was unspecified.

In Nassau County, more than half of the 556 flu cases (up from 526 the previous week) involved the A strain, as were Suffolk's 672 cases (up from 641).

• Nassau flu rate: 40.93 per 100,000 people (up from 38.72 last week)
• Suffolk flu rate: 45.37 per 100,000 people (up from 43.28 last week)

Overall, 57,378 cases around the state have been reported for this season, and flu activity level was deemed widespread for the eighth consecutive week. No children died from the flu this week. There have been three flu-associated pediatric deaths this season.

Once again, only Hamilton County reported no new cases for flu for the week ending Jan. 18.

Nationally, flu-related illnesses the week of Jan. 18 spiked to nearly 15 million cases as health officials from the Centers for Disease Control reported an additional 1,400 deaths since last week — 15 of which were of children.

Flu season mainly encompasses the period from October through May. Over the last three seasons, 20 children have died from flu, state officials said. Each season averages about 18,352 flu-related hospitalizations in the state.

State health officials recommend everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu shot, particularly those at high risk for flu-related complications such as children under 2, pregnant women and adults over 65. People with conditions such as asthma and heart disease are also at greater risk, as are people with weakened immune systems stemming from disease or medications such as chemotherapy or chronic steroid use.

The flu virus spreads easily by coughing and sneezing.

The flu vaccine has faced criticism in recent years due to its varying rates of effectiveness. Reviews of past studies have found that, on average, the flu vaccine is about 50 percent to 60 percent effective for healthy adults between 18 and 64. But the vaccine can be less effective.

But even in cases where the vaccine doesn't completely prevent the flu, it can lessen the severity of the illness — and the risk of serious complications, according to the Mayo Clinic.

"Getting an influenza vaccine — though not 100 percent effective — is the best way to prevent the misery of the flu and its complications," the clinic wrote on its website.

It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot, which is why doctors and nurses were encouraged to begin giving out the vaccine in August. It's usually best for Americans to get the vaccine by late October.

Most health insurance plans cover flu vaccines, though people without health insurance can check with county health officials to see if local clinics will provide free or low-cost vaccines.

Click here to see where to get a flu shot near you.