Flu Widespread In NY; Dozens Sickened On Long Island

LONG ISLAND, NY — Flu activity is already considered widespread across New York, with state health officials reporting nearly 700 flu-related hospitalizations and one child death. That includes 52 cases in Nassau and 41 in Suffolk counties, according to a state Department of Health tracker.

In Nassau County, the vast majority of flu cases involve the A strain, as is the case for the state overall. Meanwhile, Suffolk's cases are about evenly split between the A and B strains.

• Nassau flu rate: 3.83 per 100,000 people
• Suffolk flu rate: 2.77 per 100,000 people

In New York, Kings County had the highest number of cases at 285, followed by Bronx County at 217. Rockland County had the highest rate of flu cases at 20.26 per 100,000 people.

The figures were last reported for the week ending Nov. 30. Across the state, the case rate was 5.89 per 100,000 people, an increase of nearly 60 percent from the previous week.

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.

The recent uptick in cases led Howard Zucker, the state health commissioner, to declare flu prevalent. This means health care workers who do not get vaccinated must wear surgical or procedure masks in areas where there are typically patients.

"Getting vaccinated remains the best way for all New Yorkers to protect against the flu, and it is vital for caregivers who come in contact with patients to get vaccinated to help prevent the spread of flu," Zucker said in a news release last week. "The requirement that unvaccinated healthcare personnel wear a mask is intended to protect patients from getting the flu because healthcare workers can pose a risk to vulnerable patients by transmitting influenza, which often causes serious complications."

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 are 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.