Flu hits early - and hard

This year's flu strain is hitting hard and early, spreading to a larger percentage of the population nationally. The flu bug hasn't spread this early since 1976, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said.

At least 30 cases of influenza A have already been identified in Northern Nevada, a reflection of the national trend.

More bad news.

This year's vaccine doesn't exactly match the strain doctors are seeing in patients, but getting a flu shot is still a very good idea, said Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control.

"As flu strains gradually evolve in people, we don't always have the same strain as the vaccine circulating in the community," she said. "Historically, our experience has been that whatever the drift is, the vaccine we produce will still provide some cross-protection."

The strain used in vaccinations is determined by first identifying the viruses circulating in the southern hemisphere, in countries like Argentina and Australia. Those countries experience summer during our winter and flu epidemics start there before moving into the Northern Hemisphere.

The strain in question is H3N2, which has been associated with more severe cases of the disease, Gerberding said.

"This is the time for Americans to step up to the plate and get vaccinated against influenza, because this could be a worse-than-usual flu season and because we have this particular strain circulating," she said. "This is very serious."

The flu season extends from November through April. Influenza is responsible for an average of 114,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually, officials at the Centers for Disease Control said.

Rick Sowadsky, influenza coordinator for Nevada, said vaccinations are the No. 1 tool, in preventing the spread of the disease.

"People also need to wash their hands (often)," he said. "And if they're sick, they shouldn't go to work or school where they can expose other people."

The vaccination is recommended for the general public, but those at risk, including people over 50, children between 6 months and 2 years old or anyone with a chronic medical condition are strongly urged to get protection from the disease.

Gerberding also strongly recommends health-care workers get the vaccine.

"Influenza can be transmitted from health-care workers to their patients," she said. "Health-care workers can also acquire influenza from their patients."

Terry Long, Carson-Tahoe Hospital's employee health coordinator, said there is no shortage of vaccine this year, but Carson-Tahoe has already distributed all but 1,500 of the 12,500 doses it purchased.

The hospital is conducting two clinics today: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Minden Medical Center, 925 Ironwood Dr.; and from 3 to 6 p.m. at Wal-Mart, 3770 S. Highway 395, just south of Carson City.

The hospital's last scheduled clinic will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the Carson Mall.

Long said some physicians have the vaccine, but patients should call ahead. Insurance will not cover the cost of the vaccination. Those on Medicare receive the flu shot free.

"I'm real concerned about the Hispanic population here, but I don't know how to get the word out," she said. "We charge $10 per vaccine. If we run out, there's always St. Mary's or Washoe, but they're charging $18 to $20 per vaccine."