Influenza cases are beginning to increase in North Dakota.Decreased influenza vaccination rates for children | Health

The flu season usually begins in October and lasts until the next spring. As of Thursday, the State Department of Health reported 7,587 cases of influenza, almost half of which occurred in the last two weeks of 2021. In the first week of 2022, there were 1,131 new cases. This year, 10 people in North Dakota died of the flu.

There is only one state Three classifications By the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention as having “very high” activity in people with flu-like symptoms. The other two are New Mexico and Virginia.

Influenza is one of the most unpredictable illnesses and is even more serious than COVID-19, said Jenny Galbraith, immunosurveillance coordinator at the State Health Department. Peaks can occur at different times of the season, with some occurring in November and others not until February. In 2019-20, the peak was in late February.

The number of influenza also varies from season to season. North Dakota has an atypical 2020-21 flu season with only 237 cases and 6 deaths, mainly due to people who have taken precautions such as wearing masks and social distance to prevent infection with the coronavirus. Was welcomed.

In the last flu season, 2019-20, a total of 12,502 cases were reported and 21 died.

The overall influenza vaccination rate in North Dakota is slightly lower this season than last year. According to Galbraith, children and young adults make up the majority of new cases of influenza, which may be related to low vaccination rates.

According to the Ministry of Health’s mid-season data, 29% of people aged 5-12 years are vaccinated, compared to 36% last season. A little less than 20% of people aged 18-40 are vaccinated against influenza, which is consistent with last season’s simultaneous vaccination rates.

According to Galbraith, it’s difficult to determine why this year’s children’s vaccination rates are lower than last year. She said her parents were busy trying to get back to normal and might not have had time to schedule shots for their children. Vaccine hesitation is widespread nationwide and could also affect the decline in vaccination numbers, she said.

Lauren Archuleta, family doctor at CHI St. Alexius Health, said she was vaccinated less often with the flu vaccine in her practice.

Archuleta said all demographics are examining sick patients and it is difficult to identify cases of mild illness.

“Well, some people said,’Well, I thought it was just a snuff.’ Three or four days later we tested them, and they were either flu or corona. I’m positive about it, “she said.

Since the onset of the delta form of COVID-19 last summer, the number of influenza cases felt by hospitals has increased.

Chris Meeker, Chief Medical Officer at Sanford Health Bismarck, said the hospital has more staff from both COVID-19 and influenza than at the previous peak of COVID-19 in the state in late 2020. ..