Influenza

2009-10 Seasonal Influenza Surveillance Program

During the months October through April, the Kane County Health Department tracks influenza activity in our county by monitoring:

● Visits to Emergency Departments for Influenza-Like-Illness
● Hospital laboratory testing for influenza
● Absenteeism in schools grades K-12

Kane County Weekly Flu Surveillance Report
for Week ending: 4-17-10

Link to CDC Weekly Surveillance Report for USA

Surveillance Reports from past years:

FINAL REPORT for the 2008-2009 Flu Season (October - April)
FINAL REPORT for the 2007-2008 Flu Season (October - April)
FINAL REPORT for the 2006-2007 Flu Season (October - April)

Avian Flu & Pandemic Flu Information:

Link to CDC Website for Avian Flu
Link to CDC Website for Pandemic info

Pandemic Flu & You English Spanish

Top 3 reasons to get your annual flu shot:

1. Prevents influenza-related death.
Each year over 36,000 people in the U.S. die because of the flu—most are 65 or older. More people die from flu than from any other vaccine-preventable disease.

2. Prevents severe illness.
In the U.S. influenza puts about 200,000 people in the hospital each year. Children younger than 2 years old are as likely to be hospitalized as adults who are 65 or older.

3. Protects other people.
You should get vaccinated if you live with or care for others who are at high risk of complications from the flu. Getting a flu vaccination yourself can help protect your family members, including seniors and young children.

Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Flu Information Sheets

Influenza Facts
Cover Your Cough flyer
Simple Steps to Stay Healthy - Prevent Infection
Differences between H1N1 and Seasonal Flu

Links to helpful information about influenza:

Illinois Department of Public Health Website Influenza/Flu Pages

CDC Website Flu Pages

If you have questions about seasonal flu/influenza and the vaccine for children and adults
please call Kane County Health Department's
Bee Wize phone line at:
866-233-9493 or 630-264-7665

Where can I get a seasonal flu shot?

Check with your own healthcare provider for availability

VNA of Fox Valley offers a number of clinics

Many pharmacies in the area offer flu shots

Read below for who SHOULD and SHOULD NOT get flu shots. More detailed information in a pdf

KCHD Seasonal Flu Vaccine Webpage

People who SHOULD get a seasonal flu shot
this year:

1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:
- Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
- Pregnant women,
- People 50 years of age and older,
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above),
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated), and
- Health care workers.

3. Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday

4. Anyone who wants to decrease their risk of influenza.

Who SHOULD NOT get a seasonal flu shot:

- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs,
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination,
- People who have developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine
- Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group)
- People who have a moderate to severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated)