Flu hitting Chester County hard

11 people in county have died from flu this year

WEST CHESTER » The number of influenza deaths in Chester County so far this year has doubled, the Chester County Coroner’s Office has reported, and flu season is still months from ending.

There have been 11 deaths associated with the flu during the reporting period, the Coroner’s Office reported, and by comparison, five died from the flu in Chester County during the same time last year.

“Any influenza death is required to be reported to our office, but often we learn of a case only during our review of cremation permits, so the actual number of such deaths is probably higher than 11,” said Christian VandePol, Chester County Coroner. “Fortunately, it appears that influenza deaths and illness are finally starting to decrease after

an unusually active season this winter.”

Influenza was the primary cause of death in six of the 11 cases and a contributory factor in five other cases in Chester County. Influenza type A was identified in 3 cases; no typing was available for the other eight cases.

The levels of influenzalike illnesses being reported now are as high as the peak of the swine flu epidemic in 2009, and exceed the last severe seasonal flu outbreak in 2003. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s weekly FluView, 6.6 percent of all patients visiting doctors now have flu symptoms.

Influenza A(H3N2),has been the most prevalent flu virus in the United States this year. Although the current vaccine is only about

25 percent effective against that particular strain, vaccination can still prevent thousands of cases of influenza, according to CDC.

All but one of the 11 deaths associated with influenza in Chester County occurred in persons over 65 years of age, a population at higher risk of flurelated complications. No deaths due to influenza were reported in Chester County in two other highrisk groups, children under five and pregnant women.

The Chester County Health Department is partnering with VaxCare to bill most health insurance plans for clinics at the Health Department and community outreaches. Those with health insurance should bring their health insurance card to the clinic. Those without health insurance, or whose health insurance does not cover the flu vaccine, it will be provided at no cost.

The Chester County

Health Department is unable to provide the flu vaccine to adults (age 19 and older) who participate in any of the PA Medical Assistance insurance plans. (PA Medical Assistance plans include Keystone First, United Healthcare Community Plan, Health Partners, Coventry Cares, and Aetna Better Health.) The flu vaccine is available at no charge to children if they have Medical Assistance insurance plans.

People aged 6 months and older may receive a flu vaccine in walk in clinics on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m.

Health officials said the single most effective protection for the flu is getting the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine takes approximately two weeks to generate protective antibodies. In Chester County, the flu vaccine is available by appointment on Fridays. Call 610344-6252.