Document text
Right on time, the flu crops up in the valley One case of influenza has been identified in the Rogue Valley, marking the first appearance of the disease this winter. Yvonne Chilcoat, nurse epidemiologist for the Jackson County Health Department's communicable disease program, said her department has sent six specimens to the state testing laboratory so far this flu season. The single positive case, an Ashland resident, was identified as Type A influenza, which responds to treatment with antiviral drugs, Chilcoat said. The drugs, amantadine and rimantadine, are not effective against Type B. The flu vaccine protects people against both types, she said, but people who cannot take the vaccine or have not received it this year can protect themselves against Type A flu by taking the drugs after being exposed to the virus. The drugs also can lessen the severity of the illness and prevent complications if taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Chilcoat said the vaccine can still protect people against the flu. "If they haven't gotten vaccinated yet they need to do so as soon as possible, because we know it's here," she said. "Once it's here it spreads quickly." People who receive a flu shot will develop immunity in about two weeks, she said. The announcement of the first case of influenza comes about the usual time of year for this part of the country, Chilcoat said. Statewide as of Wednesday, epidemiologists had received 168 specimens for culturing. Of those, 23 tested positive for flu. Of the 23 cases, 17 are Type A and six are Type B. Last year, Oregon had 36 positive cases from Jan. 1 through Nov. 30, Chilcoat said. For the same period in 1997, 31 positive cases were reported statewide. Influenza is not usually life-threatening in otherwise healthy people, but it can be deadly to those with a chronic health condition such as cancer, diabetes or heart and lung conditions, Chilcoat said. Also at risk are children who have asthma or have been on long-term aspirin therapy, and women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA