FLU SEASON PREDICTED TO BEGIN EARLY AND BE MORE SEVERE THAN NORMAL

Public health officials warn the 1993-94 influenza season may start earlier and be more severe than past years, and urge those most at risk to get their flu shots this month.

The federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Ga., says confirmed outbreaks of influenza occurred in August and September in southern Louisiana. The CDC isn't sure whether the outbreaks in Louisiana indicate an early start to the influenza season this year, but they note that in the past, similar outbreaks have been followed by early influenza activity in other parts of the U.S.

Because of that possibility, the CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends earlier-than-normal inoculations for flu this year.

Normally, the CDC recommends getting flu shots between mid-October and mid-November. But this year, the agency is recommending to state and local health agencies who administer flu shots that the inoculations be completed before the end of October.

To prepare for the flu season, about 50 million doses of flu vaccine have been manufactured this year.

The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Health, will provide flu vaccinations for high-risk groups during three clinics to be held this month.

Health center spokesperson Mary Ellen Gerlach said the first clinic will be held Wednesday at the Cape Girardeau Senior Citizen and Nutrition Center, 921 N. Clark, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The second clinic will be held Thursday at the Jackson Senior Citizens Nutrition Center, 402 E. Washington, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The final clinic will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28, at Woodard's Restaurant in Delta, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Gerlach said flu shots may also be received at the county health center, 1121 Linden St., in Cape Girardeau, after the three clinics are completed.

"It is preferred that individuals receiving a flu vaccination bring a doctor's order to the clinic," said Gerlach. "A donation of up to $3 for the vaccination is being requested."

For more information about the flu vaccinations and clinics, call the health center at 335-7846.

This year, health officials expect the dominant flu strain will be Type A Beijing. In the past, when this particular strain was predominant, it was accompanied by an increase in the number of influenza-associated deaths, particularly among those over age 65, officials said.

"Compared with the other two influenza strains, (Type A Texas and Type B Panama) the Type A Beijing has been associated in the past with more sickness, complications and death among the elderly," the CDC said. "Outbreaks in Louisiana in August and September suggest that influenza may occur earlier than usual in other parts of the country. Therefore, the CDC is recommending that October is the best month to get influenza vaccine."

In Southeast Missouri, state health officials said they're already receiving sporadic reports of "flu-like" respiratory illnesses in scattered areas of the 25-county region. In Poplar Bluff, state health department spokesperson Sue Tippen said no confirmed flu cases have been reported in this area.

"One member of our health staff is out this week, and he's really quite ill." she said. "The symptoms of this `flu-like' illness are a sudden onset of fever, sore throat, muscle aches and non-productive cough."

Influenza is a viral infection of the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. Tippen said symptoms of true influenza include fever, chills, coughing, and soreness in the back, arms and legs. Although most people are only ill for a few days, those who are at risk have a much more serious illness and may need to be hospitalized.

According to Tippen, those most at risk of contracting influenza and who should receive the flu vaccine include:

- All people over age 65.

- Adults and children with long-term heart or lung problems that require them to see a doctor regularly or have required hospitalization during the past year.

- Residents of nursing homes and other institutions housing patients of any age who have serious, long-term illnesses.

- People of any age who have been treated or hospitalized the past year for kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, anemia, or severe asthma.

- People with a type of cancer or immunological disorder that lowers the body's normal resistance to infections. Persons infected with the HIV virus which causes AIDS should also be receive the flu vaccine.

- Children and teenagers 6 months through 18 years of age who are on long-term treatment with aspirin who, if they catch the flu, may be at risk of getting Reye's syndrome.

- Family members and others who provide care to any high-risk persons at home.

Because of budgetary cutbacks this year, Tippen said, there are only two influenza testing sites in Southeast Missouri. One is at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, the other is in Texas County. "Anytime is bad for cutbacks, but at this time of the year it's particularly bad with the flu season here," said Tippen.

The Missouri Department of Health reported 346 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in Missouri during the 1992-93 season. The first case was reported on Dec. 11, 1992, in St. Louis.

Bert Malone, principal assistant of the department's Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, said last year's flu season was characterized by many reports of school closings. At least 29 schools in the state reported increased levels of influenza-like illnesses.

Absenteeism ranged from 13-54 percent, and 25 schools were closed because of high absenteeism. No outbreaks were reported in long-term care facilities or institutions during the season.

In Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau County reported the most influenza cases last season with 13. Reynolds County had two confirmed flu cases. Butler, Dunklin, Ripley, Ste. Francois, Scott, Stoddard, Texas and Wright Counties each reported one flu case.

Around the state, St. Louis city reported 99 cases. St. Louis County had 75 confirmed cases.

Malone said pneumonia and influenza deaths in Missouri peaked in February 1993, and were above the previous nine-year average for 13 of the 24 weeks of the flu season. Most of the deaths occurred during the latter half of flu season when the Type A virus made its appearance.

Malone said Type A influenza is most often associated with an increase in death rate among the elderly and chronically ill.