New Mexico f lu cases on the rise
Reported illnesses are above national average, Department of Health says
DEMING — Flu cases are on the rise in New Mexico, according to the New Mexico Department of Health, and Deming Public Schools has seen its share of the virus in recent weeks.
Deming High School sent 22 students and four staff members home with flulike symptoms two weeks ago to guard against a wide-scale outbreak.
The Department of Health reports that flu in New Mexico is higher than the national average and the rate of children hospitalized is high. New Mexico is the second highest among states that participate in CDC’s influenza hospitalization tracking.
The rate of hospital admissions among children aged four and younger is particularly high. For the current flu season, New Mexico has a rate of influenza-related hospital admissions for this age group, 3.2 times greater than the other participating states.
A high rate of hospitalizations in this age group was also noted during the 2017-18 season, where New Mexico had a 1.6 times greater rate of hospitalization compared to that of the other participating states. The continued high rate for children ages 4 and younger over consecutive seasons is cause for public concern.
In addition, the overall rate of laboratory-confirmed flu hospitalizations in New Mexico is nearly double that of the other participating states.
Children ages 4 and younger, and adults 65 years of age and older are both the most vulnerable to both flu and more severe illness or disease. All children and adults should get vaccinated for influenza annually. Flu season typically runs through the end of April, and there can even be sporadic cases into the early summer months.
Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including health care provider offices, pharmacies, hospitals, and public health offices, as well in some work sites and schools.
The Department of Health encourages those with health insurance to contact their health care provider or pharmacist about getting a flu vaccine.