DOVER — Although flu season is beginning to wind down, the number of flu-related deaths in Delaware for the 2016-2017 flu season continues to rise. The Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing three more flu-related fatalities bringing this season’s total to 11.

The second week of March, an 83-year-old New Castle County woman, infected with Influenza B, and a 77-year-old Kent County woman, infected with Influenza A, died. The third week of March, a 76-year-old Sussex County woman, also infected with Influenza A, died. All had underlying health conditions in addition to being ill with the flu.

The recent fatalities nearly double the number of flu-related deaths from the 2015-2016 season during which six Delawareans passed away due to flu-related illnesses, but is still significantly lower than the 2014-2015 season when Delaware saw 28 flu fatalities. The overall number of lab-confirmed flu cases this season, however, is the highest in more than a decade.

As of the week ending March 18, there are 3,366 laboratory-confirmed flu cases in Delaware, 1,115 more cases than the 2,251 cases in 2015-2016. Of the 3,366 lab-confirmed cases, 1,650 (49 percent) individuals are from New Castle County, 1,013 (30 percent) are from Kent County, and 703 (21 percent) are from Sussex County. These numbers reflect lab-confirmed cases and the actual number of flu cases in Delaware is likely much higher.

“This year’s flu numbers confirm we have often said about the flu—it’s an unpredictable disease and can impact people differently every year,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Given we know that we are seeing the highest number of cases in a decade, its important the people continue to take precautions to prevent the illness.”

Taking extra precautions and recognizing symptoms of the flu is vitally important, especially for those who have significant medical conditions. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and have underlying health problems, you should consult your doctor immediately. DPH also reminded Delawareans that in the 2015-2016 flu season, three flu-related deaths occurred in April, so while the season may be winding down, flu cases, as well as fatalities, are still possible.

Delawareans are encouraged to prevent infection by taking simple everyday measures such as washing hands, using hand sanitizer, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying at home when sick. These efforts help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses including flu. Anyone who has elderly neighbors or relatives should also check in on them regularly, especially if they have experienced flu-like symptoms or have underlying health conditions.

DPH encourages anyone who may be experiencing flu-like symptoms to call, not visit, their doctor. Doctors may be able to prescribe anti-virals by phone. Flu-like illnesses can come on suddenly and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. While more common in children, some people might also experience vomiting or diarrhea. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Providers can prescribe anti-viral medicines to make illnesses milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and death. Early anti-viral treatment works best, but may be beneficial for hospitalized patients up to four to five days after symptoms begin.

For more information on influenza prevention, diagnosis and treatment, call DPH at 800-282-8672 or visit flu.delaware.gov.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DOVER – The Delaware Diabetes Coalition in collaboration with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2017-2018 school year, from high school seniors who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The scholarship program, established in 2008, provides much-needed financial assistance to youth living with this chronic disease.

“Living with diabetes isn’t always easy for teenagers or their family,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Between keeping their diabetes under control, managing schoolwork and after-school activities, recreational play, stress and all the other daily life issues a teenager must cope with, it can be challenging. Additionally, families often face ongoing medical expenses related to their conditions. This scholarship program is an important tool to help alleviate the financial burden facing families and assist these young people in furthering their dreams.”

Eligible applicants must be residents of Delaware, currently enrolled as high school seniors, have diabetes, a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and plan to pursue education in an accredited higher education program. The student is required to write a 500-word essay entitled: “How Diabetes Has Impacted My Life Choices.” Two letters of support from non-family members are also required.

Two $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarship is payable to the institution the student will be attending. For application criteria, procedures and the application form, visit www.dediabetescoalition.org. Awardees are required to attend the Delaware Diabetes Wellness Expo, which will be held at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 2016 scholarship recipients, Mary Lemma of Clayton and Clinton Rumley of Milford, say they are grateful for the scholarships.

“With the help of the coalition, I was propelled one step further so I can achieve my goal of becoming a health care professional, and to work towards a cure of Juvenile Diabetes”, said Mr. Rumley, Lake Forest High School graduate attending Delaware Technical and Community College. “This scholarship helped me with the costs of college and reminded me to be thankful, even for my type 1 diabetes,” said Miss Lemma, a Smyrna High School graduate attending the University of Delaware.

The deadline for applications with all required backup documentation is May 1, 2017. Notification of awards will be made no later than June 15, 2017. Submit all documents by email to: info@dediabetescoalition.org or call 302-388-9728 with any questions.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DOVER — The Division of Public Health (DPH) is seeking the public’s input to develop the most clear and effective ways to reach Delawareans in the event of emergency situations such as hurricanes, flooding, serious illness outbreaks, industrial accidents, and power outages.

Over the next several weeks, DPH will survey Delaware residents via email and in-person small group discussions to better understand how to best reach residents with the most accurate and up-to-date information during an emergency event.

The information will be used to develop a meaningful Emergency Public Information and Warning Plan for the State of Delaware.

“Your opinion is important to us. We are currently reviewing the methods we use to communicate vital information to our residents in emergency situations and we want to hear from you on how to do that more effectively,” said DPH Deputy Director Crystal Webb. “Anyone is welcome to participate in the survey and it only takes about 10 minutes to provide your feedback on how you might respond during an emergency, and how we can best notify you and your loved ones with continuing updates.”

The survey is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2556XL8.

Included in the survey is an option to participate in one of three focus group discussions to be held throughout the state. A complimentary meal will be served and a Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit will be raffled off at the end of the event.

The focus groups will be held:

• Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, Wilmington, from noon to 1:00 p.m. with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, April 20, 2017, at Easter Seals Tunnell Center, Georgetown, from noon to 1:00 p.m. with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, April 20, 2017, at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, Dover, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with registration beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Anyone who is interested in participating in a focus group or has further questions should contact Cathleen Rossi at cathleen.rossi@delaware.gov or 302-223-1246 by March 31 for consideration.

For more information about emergency preparedness, visit PrepareDE.org. The website provides useful information on how to prepare for different types of disasters in addition to preparedness tools and resources.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DOVER – Spring break is all about sunscreen, bathing suits, and travel to warmer weather climates. And this year, it should also be about protecting you and your family from the Zika virus.

DPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have a number of resources to inform the public on the impacts of Zika, including the CDC’s text messaging service that will inform travelers of Zika updates for their destinations. To receive text messages about Zika for your destination, text PLAN to 855-255-5606 to subscribe.

Zika has been found in several popular spring locations. Delaware’s 17 confirmed Zika cases were all caused by mosquito bites while traveling abroad, however, there are warmer climates in the continental United States with local Zika transmission. Anyone planning a trip during the winter or over spring break should educate themselves on Zika’s dangers and how to prevent the disease before hopping on a plane or cruise ship for warmer weather.

“Zika is a ‘game changer’ for warm weather trips,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Pregnant women and their partners should avoid travel to areas where Zika is found and everyone should protect themselves from mosquito bites. Precautions should be taken such as using EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and using barrier methods such as condoms and/or dental dams when engaging in sexual activity with someone who could be infected with Zika.”

Added Dr. Awele Maduka-Ezeh, “Currently, there is no known treatment for, and no vaccine against, Zika. Prevention is the only protection. All persons should take proper precautions when traveling to Zika-infected areas as they can get infected with the virus via mosquito bites or sex, while away, and spread it through sexual transmission themselves both when traveling, and also, when they return home.

Mosquito bite avoidance strategies include:

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. When feasible, stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for reapplication times. All EPA-registered insect repellents are evaluated for effectiveness. Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside. Keep in mind that the mosquitos that spread Zika bite actively both during the day and the night.

If you have a baby or child:

Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age. Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, or cover the crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting. Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin. Adults: spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to the child’s face.

Clothing:

Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items. Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to learn how long the protection will last. If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully. Do NOT apply permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.

Women who have had possible exposure to Zika through travel or sexual contact, regardless of whether or not they exhibited symptoms or are trying to conceive, should wait at least eight weeks before having unprotected sex. Men who may have been exposed to the virus should wait at least six months before having unprotected sex, regardless of whether or not they are exhibiting symptoms or are planning to conceive. Preventing Zika transmission to a woman who may, or is planning to, conceive in the next few months is particularly important, given Zika’s link to serious and even fatal birth defects.

Women who are pregnant or planning to be can find more information on Zika at:

• in English
• in Spanish
• in Haitian Creole

DPH recommends the following resources for the latest on Zika and microcephaly:

• As new Zika findings become available, DPH will update its Zika page to inform Delawareans at http://de.gov/zika.
• Use the CDC’s new text messaging service to receive Zika updates for your destination. Text PLAN at 855-255-5606 to subscribe.
• Visit the CDC’s Zika website for updates and newly infected areas at: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/.
• Visit the CDC’s website on microcephaly.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DOVER — The total number of lab-confirmed influenza cases continues to increase in Delaware and the virus has now claimed three more lives, bringing the statewide total to eight deaths in the 2016-2017 flu season, the Division of Public Health (DPH) reports. The number of lab-confirmed cases is now 2,712 compared to 416 at this time last year.

All three deceased victims had underlying health conditions in addition to being infected with influenza. The third week of February, a 55-year-old New Castle County man, infected with Influenza B, passed away. The last week of February, a 64-year-old New Castle County man who was infected with Influenza A passed away. Most recently, a 65-year-old Kent County man infected with Influenza B passed away during the first week of March. All passed away at local hospitals.

The recent deaths push this flu season’s fatalities ahead of last year’s when there were six flu-related deaths among Delawareans during the entire 2015-2016 season. Last year, the flu season peaked later, and the first flu-related death didn’t occur until March 14, 2016. Of the 2,712 lab-confirmed cases this year, 1,412 (52 percent) infected individuals are from New Castle County, 756 (28 percent) are from Kent County, and 544 (20 percent) are from Sussex County. These numbers reflect lab-confirmed cases and the actual number of flu cases in Delaware is likely much higher.

“We have said it before, but it is truly important for Delawareans to realize the flu can be unpredictable and deadly,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We urge all Delawareans to stay home from work, school, or other engagements if they feel sick with flu-like illnesses, to wash their hands regularly, to use hand sanitizer, to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, to take anti-virals as prescribed by their doctor, and to get vaccinated for the flu if they have not already done so.”

Those ages 25 and under continue to make up more than half (56 percent) of this season’s flu cases. However, those 65 and older make up 55 percent of those hospitalized for influenza-like illnesses.

Flu-like illnesses can come on suddenly and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. While more common in children, some people might also experience vomiting or diarrhea. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Providers can prescribe anti-viral medicines to make illnesses milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and death. Early anti-viral treatment works best, but may be beneficial for hospitalized patients up to four to five days after symptoms begin. Early anti-viral treatment can reduce influenza morbidity and mortality.

DPH recommends that people with flu-like illnesses call — not visit — their medical providers, who may be able to prescribe anti-viral medications by phone.

DPH suggests the following actions to protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly, the very young, pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and people with weakened immune systems:

• If you are receiving treatment in a long-term care facility or in-home care, ask if the staff is vaccinated against the flu and if not, be certain all non-vaccinated staff members wear a mask at all times.
• Visits at home or in a facility should be limited if the visitor is under age 16, has the flu, or is at risk of exposure to the flu. The illness can be transmitted prior to someone showing symptoms.
• If you are living with a senior and a family member contracts the flu, keep the two separate as much as possible and ensure everyone in the home follows sanitary precautions.
• Wash hands frequently with soap or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after you cough, sneeze, or touch your face.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow. Droplets from a sneeze can travel up to six feet.
• Stay home when sick and do not return to work or school until you are fever-free for 24 hours.
• Ensure all your loved ones are vaccinated against the flu.

Public Health officials encourage anyone 6 months of age and older, who has not yet been vaccinated against the flu to do so as soon as possible. DPH continues to offer the vaccine at four of the State Service Centers. Information for these sites can be found at http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/fluclinics.html. Additionally, the vaccine is available through medical providers, pharmacies, and some grocery stores.

For more information on influenza prevention, diagnosis and treatment, call the Division of Public Health at 800-282-8672 or visit flu.delaware.gov.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.