According to Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Montana closed January with widespread influenza activity. The number of Montanans reported to be infected with “the flu” increased over the past several weeks, with a high of 723 new cases last week. Since the start of the flu season in October, over 3290 people have tested positive for influenza, 423 have been hospitalized, and 21 adults 50 years and over have died.
Locally, flu activity continues to be reported in all 3 regions of Jefferson County for a total of 55 cases so far. Seven hospitalizations and one death have also been reported. Nationwide, approximately sixty percent of those hospitalized are 65 years or older; in Jefferson County 100 percent have been in this age group.
Flu vaccine still has a place this late in the season. A flu shot takes about two weeks to become fully effective, and each shot contains either three or four strains of killed flu virus. Right now the “H3-type” influenza A is the most prevalent nationwide and in Montana, and both types of vaccine contain this strain. However 23 percent of the flu tests were influenza B last week, matching the results at clinical labs across the nation. The four-strain (quadravalent) flu vaccine contains the most prevalent influenza B strain now circulating (Yamagata). Unfortunately the trivalent (three-strain) vaccines do not contain this flu strain. Those who received the three-strain vaccine may wish to talk with their healthcare providers about additional measures to protect from severe flu.
