Travis County Flu Fatalities Rise To 34

AUSTIN, TX — The death toll from this season's flu season continues to mount, with fatalities rising to 34 in Travis County.

Carole Barasch, spokeswoman for Austin Public Health, confirmed the increased number of deaths during a telephone interview with Patch. The revised numbers are an increase from the 29 deaths reported by health officials in their Feb. 5 report. There have still been no pediatric deaths attributable to the flu in Travis County, Barasch added.

Along with the upward trend in terms of deaths, health officials have noticed an uptick in the number of flu cases attributed to the B strain of the virus in the last couple of weeks. At the onset of this flu season, cases of the A strain were most prevalent, she added.

The grim statistics arise amid what has emerged as the deadliest flu season in more than a decade. The new numbers double the number of flu fatalities of the 2014-15 season — the most lethal up until this year — when 17 people succumbed to influenza, including two children, Bausch told Patch.

Bausch also clarified a misconception about the flu inadvertently spread in error by some media outlets positing that one can only get the flu twice in one season. With four different strains at play, a patient potentially could contract the flu up to four times, she said. Dr. Phillip Huang, medical director for the Austin-Travis County Health Authority, agreed. saying a patient could conceivably acquire the flu virus "multiple" times, although that possibility is relatively rare.

"When you get a flu shot, you get a quadrivalent, covering four strains," Bausch explained. "You're protected against four strains potentially. People have gotten sick from the A strain and then the B strain. There are people we have heard about who have been sick from the flu two times."

The lessened effectiveness of this year's flu vaccine also is attributable to the growing number of flu cases, Huang acknowledged. In creating flu vaccines in egg cultures each season, researchers are informed by which influenza strains have been the most prevalent in past influenza seasons. As such, there was little way to predict the growing prevalence of the B strain this season.

"One of the things predominantly circulating is the type A H3N2 strain," Huang explained during a telephone interview with Patch. "They choose the strains that seem to be predominating in prior seasons. That's the one when we see circulating that tends to have more severe illness, hospitalization, deaths in particular for that strain. The way the vaccine was developed in the egg culture, there's been some lack of efficacy."

Still, Huang — with unanimity among other health officials — urges people to get the flu vaccine. While many focus on its mere 17 percent protection factor guarding against the flu, the vaccine will still lessen the severity of symptoms of those contracting the illness if not fully protecting against it, Huang said.

Beyond the laboratory, the flu season this year has given rise to some measure of panic among some of the more conspiratorial-minded segments of society. Isolated cases of healthy, young people succumbing to the virus — instead of the typically more vulnerable population segments — have commanded headlines, giving rise to the mistaken claims that no one is safe and no vaccine in the world can save us.

But more often than not, those rare patients succumbing to flu outside the typical profile of the most vulnerable have underlying medical conditions, Bausch said. "Most of the deaths we've seen had other underlying conditions, which could be anything from heart disease to diabetes — all kinds of chronic illnesses which compromise the immune system."

Huang agreed, maintaining that the most vulnerable to die of the flu continue to be the very young or the very old, pregnant women and those with immune systems already otherwise compromised.

Young, healthy people's immune systems sometimes go into overdrive in overcompensating while fighting off potential illness, which can also have disastrous results, Bausch added. This occurred in large measure in 1918 during the so-called Spanish Flu that decimated entire populations of seemingly healthy young people, Bausch said.

"It devastated a younger, healthy population," she said. "As time went on, studies indicated it had to do with immune system overdrive and overcompensation."

For now, health officials are having to contend with a flu virus continually mutating in what's known a "shift and drift" tactic fueling the strength of the B strain that's reared its lethal head this season, helped along in its deadly march with an available vaccination that wasn't precisely calibrated to deal with its onslaught.

"Season to season, new shifts arise," Huang said. "They're working on a universal vaccine that would protect against all influenza viruses. But right now, we're more susceptible to when there are those mutations."

Don't hold your breath for that universal, cover-all shot, though. The doctor said it's "several years" away from being perfected. For now, it's best to take heed to health officials advice on avoiding the flu — chiefly washing your hands well and often.

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agree with the good doctor's advice: "The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu," health officials wrote on their website. "There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent flu."

The CDC offers the following flu prevention tips:

• Avoid close contact.

"Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too."

• Stay home when you are sick.

"If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others."

• Cover your mouth and nose.

"Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick."

• Clean your hands.

"Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub."

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

"Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth."

• Practice other good health habits.

"Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food."
On their website, CDC officials also provide a number of downloadable flyers and posters designed to educate people on avoiding the flu ideal for use by community and public settings as well as health care facilities. Check out those educational materials by clicking here.

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