DOVER – Today, Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) announced flu is officially confirmed in all three counties with new lab-confirmed cases in New Castle and Sussex counties. The first New Castle County cases include a 77-year-old woman who was discharged following a hospital stay, and a 64-year-old male. No deaths have been reported.

The first Sussex case was an infant who is recovering at home. None of the new cases had records that they have received their flu vaccine this season.

These cases join two other lab-confirmed cases in Kent County, 27-year-old and 39-year-old men. Neither were hospitalized. There are two main types of influenza (flu) virus – types A and B – that routinely spread in people and are responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks each year.

“Now is the time to get vaccinated. We understand none of the Delaware cases were immunized, which is not uncommon this early in the season,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “But vaccination is our most effective weapon against preventing the flu and its severity. Public Health recommends getting a flu vaccine every year.”

Finding a nearby flu clinic or vaccination site is easier than ever before. Google “CDC flu finder,” enter your ZIP code, and find nearby sites offering vaccinations.

Added DPH Medical Director Dr. Awe Maduka-Ezeh, an infectious disease specialist, “It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop antibodies protect you from the flu so now is the time to get vaccinated before the busy holiday season begins. The flu vaccine is readily available through medical providers, pharmacies, and some grocery stores.”

Flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, and fatigue. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Providers can prescribe antiviral medicines to make the illness milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and even death. DPH monitors the occurrence of influenza-like illnesses in hospitals, selected long-term care facilities, and medical clinics to track flu trends in the state.

In addition to vaccination, Delawareans can prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory illness with good hygiene:
· Wash hands often with soap and water.
· Use hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol.
· Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or aiming for your inside elbow.
· Stay six feet away from others who are coughing or sneezing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Persons with flu-like illness should stay home from work, school, and other gatherings and not return until free of fever – 100 F (37.8 C), without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours.

DPH is hosting public flu clinics, including some with evening hours, at various locations. For more information on flu clinics, 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, DE – Today, Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) announced the state’s first laboratory-confirmed case of influenza for the 2016-2017 flu season. The case involves a 27-year-old Kent County man who was not hospitalized. There are two main types of influenza (flu) virus – types A and B – that routinely spread in people and are responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks each year. Delaware’s first case is an influenza A strain.

DPH made the announcement during the press event portion of a drive-thru flu clinic held in Dover, which served as the official kickoff of its 2016-2017 flu season prevention efforts. The free drive-thru flu clinic was conducted outside of the Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover. It was the first DPH drive-thru flu clinic in Kent County, and is expected to be the largest. DPH nursing staff, joined by Bayhealth nurses, administered intramuscular flu vaccines. Local radio station Eagle 97.7 provided entertainment.

Following prepared remarks Governor Jack Markell received his last flu shot as Governor, from DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. Dr. Rattay and Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Rita Landgraf also received their flu shots. Governor Markell urged all Delawareans 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated soon if they have not yet done so.

“Getting your annual vaccination is easy and it’s the single most important step every Delawarean should take right now to be prepared for cold and flu season,” Governor Markell said. “The evidence is clear that the benefits received from the flu shot saves lives, especially among our vulnerable residents, protects our workforce, and reduces costs across our healthcare system.”

The flu clinic, which provides vaccines to anyone ages 13 and older, also served as a preparedness exercise, enabling DPH staff to practice their readiness in the event of a large-scale health emergency, and test their ability to accommodate all people, including those with access and functional needs. Bilingual and sign interpreters were available, and special lanes existed for those with functional needs. People can stop by the Blue Hen Mall drive-thru clinic up until 4:00 p.m. today.

The 2016-2017 intramuscular flu vaccine protects against four strains of the influenza virus, which can be unpredictable and deadly. Last flu season, Delaware had 2,064 confirmed flu cases, six of which were fatal.

“The flu is easy to transmit and you can get it from healthy, but unvaccinated, children and adults,” Secretary Landgraf said. “With the announcement of the first confirmed case of the season, we want to remind Delawareans that they need the protection that an annual flu shot provides. Getting vaccinated can reduce the severity of flu illness and prevent visits to the doctor, clinic, or emergency room or missing important family, school, and work events.”

“Vaccination is about not only protecting yourself, but also protecting each other,” said Dr. Rattay. “If you’re not in a high-risk group, you likely live or interact with those who are, such as young children, older adults, or those with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems.”

Dr. Rattay said it is especially important that older Delawareans and those with underlying health conditions get their flu shots early, preferably by the end of October. Those among the most vulnerable populations:

• Seniors
• Pregnant women and their household contacts
• Caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months, since those children are too young to receive the vaccine
• Those with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems
• Food service providers
• Health care providers.

“In Delaware, there are ample opportunities to receive the flu vaccine. From physician offices, to pharmacies, even the grocery store,” said Bayhealth Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive Bonnie Perratto. “But some people are still in need. And events like this help bridge the gap so we can protect as many Delawareans as possible from the flu.”

Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, Delawareans are encouraged to get vaccinated before influenza begins spreading in their community. The flu vaccine is readily available through medical providers, pharmacies, and some grocery stores. DPH is hosting public flu clinics, including some with evening hours, at various locations. Finding a nearby flu clinic or vaccination site is easier than ever before. Google “CDC flu finder,” enter your ZIP code, and find nearby sites offering vaccinations.

Flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, and fatigue. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Providers can prescribe antiviral medicines to make the illness milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and even death. DPH monitors the occurrence of influenza-like illnesses in hospitals, selected long-term care facilities, and medical clinics to track flu trends in the state.

Delawareans can prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory illness with good hygiene: wash hands often with soap and water, use hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol, and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or aiming for your inside elbow. Stay six feet away from others who are coughing or sneezing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Persons with flu-like illness should stay home from work, school, and other gatherings and not return until free of fever — 100° F (37.8° C), without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours.

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 – Delaware Attorney General Matt Denn joined Division of Public Health (DPH) officials to encourage all residents to get their flu shot at a free flu clinic held today in Wilmington. The clinic, held at the Porter State Service Center, was the first one in New Castle County for the 2016-2017 flu season.

A full listing of upcoming DPH flu clinics in each county can be found at flu.delaware.gov. This includes DPH’s first drive-thru flu clinic in several years, scheduled for October 27, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Blue Hen Corporate Center. DPH will also provide flu shots to children ages 6 months to 18 years at the following State Service Centers by appointment: Hudson (Newark), Williams (Dover), Adams (Georgetown) and Shipley (Seaford). For a list of pharmacies and other locations where flu shots are offered near you, use the Flu Vaccine Finder on Flu.gov and enter your zip code.

The Porter Service Center flu clinic provided a festive atmosphere with a live DJ spinning music and staff handing out free gift cards to the first 150 people to receive their flu shots. Attorney General Denn was one of 218 individuals to receive a flu shot at the event. The Delaware Division of Public Health is promoting the importance of annual flu vaccination this year through its statewide “Vaccination: protecting each other” outreach campaign. The campaign is aimed at urging people who are not considered at high risk for getting the flu to get vaccinated. Even those not in a high-risk group, likely live or interact with those who are such as young children, older adults or those with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems.

“As the father of two young boys, I want to make sure I protect myself from getting the flu, and prevent them from catching it from me,” said Attorney General Denn. “The protection offered by vaccinations is important for everyone, not just those at high risk.”

“Getting your flu vaccination is easier than ever before with all of the locations available to Delawareans,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We are hoping to again reduce the number of influenza cases in Delaware this flu season. The best protection against getting the flu is to take a few minutes of your time to receive a vaccination. We hope the majority of Delawareans follow Attorney General Denn’s lead and get vaccinated for the upcoming season.”

Last flu season, there were 2,064 flu cases reported in Delaware including six flu-related deaths. This year’s vaccine helps to protect against up to four strains of influenza. The flu clinic also served as a preparedness exercise, so DPH staff could practice their readiness in the event of a large-scale health emergency and test the ability to accommodate people with disabilities. American Sign Language interpreters were on hand to assist the deaf and hard of hearing , and bilingual staff were available to assist with translations.

DPH urges all Delawareans 6 months of age and older who have not yet been vaccinated against the flu to get a vaccination as soon as possible. The flu is easy to transmit and the vaccine is the best protection. The vaccine is readily available through medical providers, pharmacies, and some grocery stores. DPH is conducting public flu clinics including some with evening hours at various locations in the state. For DPH flu clinic schedules this season, visit http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/fluclinics.html.

Flu vaccination reduces the risk of getting sick from the flu or spreading the disease to others. It is especially important that the following groups get flu shots:

• Seniors;
• Pregnant women and their household contacts;
• Caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months, since those children are too young to receive the vaccine;
• Those with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems;
• Food service providers;
• Health care providers.

Delawareans are also 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.

Flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, and fatigue. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Providers can prescribe antiviral medicines to make illness milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and even death.

Beginning in October each year, DPH monitors the occurrence of influenza-like illnesses in hospitals, selected long-term care facilities, and medical clinics to track flu trends in the state.

For more information on influenza prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as for a listing of DPH flu clinics visit flu.delaware.gov or call DPH at 888-282-8672. DPH’s seasonal flu shot clinics are intended for Delawareans age nine and older who have no healthcare provider or whose insurance does not cover flu vaccinations. Those with Medicaid or Medicare are welcome to attend but should bring their insurance card since their insurance will be billed accordingly.

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.

NEW CASTLE – At the annual Division of Public Health (DPH) flu immunization clinic at the New Castle Farmers Market, Governor Jack Markell urged Delawareans age six months and older to get their annual flu vaccination as early as possible. Then he pushed up his sleeve to receive his own flu shot.

“Get your flu vaccination, not the flu,” Governor Markell said. “The flu vaccine protects you and your family, co-workers, and others. The flu is easy to transmit and you can get it from healthy – but unvaccinated – children and adults.”

“All Delawareans, especially our elderly, our young children, those with chronic health conditions and compromised immune systems, need protection,” said Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Rita Landgraf who also received a flu vaccine at Friday’s clinic. “Even if you’re not in a high-risk group, you likely live or interact with those who are.” Individuals with lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions are at risk of suffering such complications from influenza as pneumonia, worsened asthma, and circulatory problems.

Last year’s flu season was particularly difficult. During the 2014-2015 flu season, Delaware had 28 reported flu-related deaths and over 2,300 reported flu cases, compared to four deaths and more than 1,700 reported flu cases in the prior season. The biggest challenge last year was the unexpected mutation of one strain. Past experience showed that this particular strain resulted in more hospitalizations and deaths, especially among those at highest risk of complications from flu infection. These include older people, the very young and those with underlying medical conditions. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is confident of a better match between the vaccine and this year’s circulating viruses.

“The protection offered by vaccinations is important for everyone, not just those at high risk,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Healthy people who get sick from the flu might not be hospitalized or die, but they might miss important school or work functions or fun events like family time, holidays or a vacation or get other people sick.”

Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu, Dr. Rattay recommends getting vaccinated as soon as possible, preferably by the end of October. Seasonal flu activity commonly peaks in the United States between December and February.

The Farmers Market flu clinic is one of 36 DPH flu clinics scheduled statewide from October through December. It also doubles as the site for a mass flu immunization emergency preparedness drill. Among other things, this year the drill is testing DPH’s ability to quickly and efficiently serve people with disabilities and ensure their needs are met as part of a larger vaccination event.

“Many Delawareans have access and functional needs – seniors, people who use wheelchairs, walkers, and canes, people who speak a different language, and those who cannot see or hear or use the English language well,” said Nick Fina, who has profound, lifelong hearing loss. “I’m glad that Delaware Health and Social Services is offering additional accommodations in recognition of our needs, and that they are receptive to suggestions.”

Flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, and fatigue. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Providers can prescribe antiviral medicines to make illness milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and even death.

DHSS asks Delawareans to first seek flu vaccine from their health providers. DPH flu clinics are available for those who without a doctor, who cannot pay for the vaccine because they are uninsured, or who do not have insurance that covers the vaccine. Flu vaccinations are also available through most area pharmacies, grocery stores, and college health centers.

Though the DPH flu clinic vaccinations are free, donations and Medicaid are accepted. The DPH clinics located at the Hudson State Service Center in New Castle County, the Williams State Service Center in Kent County and the Adams State Service Center in Sussex County also vaccinate ages 6 and above by appointment. Children ages 6 months to 8 years who receive the flu vaccine for the first time need two doses, with the second dose given at least 28 days after the first dose.

For Public Health vaccination clinic dates or find out how to schedule an appointment, call the Delaware Immunization Hotline at 800-282-8672 or visit www.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, drink almost no sugary beverages.