Influenza is back, and a growing number of Minnesotans have been sickened and hospitalized as a result.
During the week ending Saturday, 36 people in Minnesota were newly hospitalized with influenza — an increase of 50 percent over 24 new hospitalizations the previous week, according to numbers released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Data from more than 300 clinic- and hospital-based labs across the state also suggested a similar jump in confirmed cases during the week ending Saturday, the state health department said in its weekly influenza report.
The flu season typically starts in October, and the hospitalization tally for the current season now stands at 104 cases — far shy last year’s case count by this time.
“We’re very hesitant to say there’s a normal or average flu season, because it’s always unpredictable,” said Jennifer Heath, an immunization outreach nurse specialist with the health department. “But it’s starting to pick up. And we probably won’t see our peak until at least a few more weeks.”
Seasonal flu cases can start showing up as early as October and typically peak during the winter months. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, muscle ache, cough and fatigue, and they often come on quickly — flu patients often describe the onset of illness as akin to being hit by a truck.
Those most at risk of flu complications are very young children, particularly those under age 2, as well as the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions.
A year ago at this time, many more Minnesotans had been hospitalized. During the 51st week of 2012 alone there were 173 new hospitalizations, according to the health department.
The state went on to have its worst flu season in five years, with 3,068 people hospitalized and 201 flu-related deaths. It’s too early to say how the current flu season ultimately will compare.
The tally thus far could be low either because the season is milder than last year’s, or because it’s off to a late start.
“Clearly, activity is lower than it was last year at this time,” said Doug Schultz, a health department spokesman, adding: “It’s not too late to get flu vaccine.”
This year’s vaccine matches well with the dominant flu strains in circulation, Heath said, although vaccines never provide perfect protection.
“Even though vaccine isn’t 100 percent effective, it is still the most specific tool we have against influenza,” she said.
In previous years, the health department reported weekly information on flu-related deaths in adults, but it won’t do so this season, Heath said. Adult death tallies likely will be available later, but it’s challenging, Heath said, for health officials to definitively link adult deaths with flu while the season unfolds.
But there have been no reported pediatric deaths in Minnesota this flu season.
Flu cases have been picking up across the country, particularly in the southeastern U.S. While the geographic spread of influenza in Minnesota has been upgraded from “local” to “regional,” it’s considered “widespread” in Alabama, Louisiana, New York and Texas.
In Minnesota, half of the flu hospitalizations this season have been in the Twin Cities area. The average age of those admitted has been 43, although the case rate per 100,000 people has been greatest among children younger than age 5 and adults age 65 or older.
Influenza is caused by a virus, so antibiotics are not effective against it.
Christopher Snowbeck can be reached at 651-228-5479.
Follow him at twitter.com/chrissnowbeck.
STAYING HEALTHY
Beyond getting vaccinated, people can avoid spreading or catching the flu with rest, physical activity and healthy eating. Flu sufferers are urged to:
— Stay home from work or school to prevent its spread.
— Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing.
— Wash your hands often.
— Keep surfaces clean.
You can find flu shot clinic locations online at mdhflu.com.