Flu season is here

IT’S OFFICIAL – the 2017 influenza season has started.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said yesterday that every year during the winter months, May to August, South Africa experienced an increase in influenza circulation.

“During this time the number of individuals who become sick, seek medical care, get admitted to hospital or who die due to respiratory illness increases. The influenza season is considered to have started when the detection rate of specimens from the influenza-like illness (ILI) programme, Viral Watch, tested at the NICD rises above 10 percent and is sustained for more than two weeks.”

The NICD said in a statement issued yesterday, that while there had been low levels of influenza circulation since week 18 (week ending May 7, 2017), the number of specimens testing positive for influenza had increased.

According to the data from the Viral Watch programme, this year the detection rate rose to 25 percent in week 21 (week ending May 282017) and to 32 percent in week 22 (week ending June 4).

“Influenza vaccination, which provides protection against at least three strains of influenza each season, remains the most effective measure to prevent illness and possibly fatal outcomes.

“Protecting those who are at increased risk of severe influenza outcomes plays an important role in management of respiratory illnesses.”

Individuals at risk of influenza and severe disease include pregnant women and those vulnerable due to pre-existing illnesses or risk factors.

“Vaccines should be given sufficiently early to provide protection for the influenza season, though it is never too late to vaccinate. A protective antibody response takes about two weeks to develop.”

The 2017 influenza vaccine is available at local clinics and private providers (pharmacies and private practitioners).