NJ Flu Scare: Worst Week Yet; Who's At Risk?

New Jersey's flu scare just had its worst week yet as more details have emerged about a 4-year-old girl who died from the virus (see below).

New Jersey had a staggering 2,582 new flu cases during the week of Jan. 20 through 27th, the most since the flu season began on Oct. 7, according to the Department of Health. Since the season began, the state has had its highest number of emergency department visits in two years.

The total number of flu cases is nearly double what it was at this time last year: 7,332 in 2018 versus 4,228 in 2017, according to the DOH (see county-by-county breakdown below).

"Flu activity is widespread in our state," said Dawn Thomas, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health. "Flu activity is difficult to predict, but we typically see the peak of the season in January or February."

The number of cases continue to skyrocket as more information was revealed this week about the only a fatal victim of the virus in New Jersey. The 4-year-old girl was a described by the Department of Health as a resident of Central Jersey who was not vaccinated, but no other information was provided.

An Ocean County official offered more possible information about the girl in an interview with The Asbury Park Press on this week. Read more here...

Nationally, there have been a number of cases involving children who died after showing symptoms of a cold. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children, especially those younger than 5 years, are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications. The flu vaccine offers the best defense against getting the flu and spreading it to others, the CDC says.

"It is not too late to get vaccinated," Thomas said. "Flu season can last until May."

Getting vaccinated can reduce flu illnesses, doctor's visits, missed work and school days, and prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in children, the CDC says.

The New Jersey Department of Health released statistics in 2017 showing that Monmouth and Ocean counties had the lowest percentage of kindergartners immunized against all illnesses, at 94 and 92.9 percent, respectively. Cumberland and Gloucester counties had the highest percentages, at 98.4 and 97.5 percent, respectively.

The especially bad season is mainly attributed to infections from a flu strain known as H3N2. It responds poorly to vaccinations and is particularly dangerous to young children and older adults over the age of 65.

Here were the New Jersey counties most and least affected by the flu virus as of Jan. 27:

The Monmouth County Health Department is offering a free flu shot clinic for children on Monday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. The clinic will be held at the county Health Department, located at 3435 Route 9 North in Freehold.

The vaccines are free to children six months to 17 years of age who reside in county towns. Others may receive the seasonal influenza vaccine for $15.

Clinic participants will be screened by a registered nurse regarding risk factors and educated about the vaccine. A parent or guardian must sign a consent form for participants. Individuals who should not receive the influenza vaccine are:

• Those with an allergy to eggs and egg proteins;
• Anyone with a previous life threatening reaction to a flu vaccine, or
• Individuals with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

“There is still time for your child to receive a flu vaccine as the flu season can last until May,” Freeholder Patrick Impreveduto, liaison to the Health Department, said in a release. “Although epidemics of flu happen every year, the timing, severity and length varies from one year to another The county Health Department is continuing to work with state and local health partners to monitor trends throughout the flu season.”

For additional information or to make an appointment, call the Monmouth County Health Department at 732-431-7456, Option 2, or log onto www.visitmonmouth.com.

(Lead image: A Walgreens employee holds a flu shot in Oakland, California in December 2014. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)