PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER Maine) – For the first time in 13 years, almost the entire country is reporting widespread influenza – excluding Hawaii and D.C.
Maine peaked late, which doctors say is normal. The state only reaching that ‘widespread’ status on Friday.
“We are having a lot of visits to our Emergency Room right now with respiratory illnesses,” said Dr. August Valenti, an epidemiologist at Maine Medical Center. “I think this was to be expected, and a lot of us were very concerned.”
With 53 Mainers hospitalized for the flu just a week into the new year, the prognosis isn’t looking good. Dr. Valenti says Portland’s numbers are hovering around normal-to-high right now, but that doesn’t reflect the rest of the state.
He says the reason for the outbreak might be partially due to this year's vaccine. “[It] wasn’t as good as we hoped,” he said, explaining that the vaccine didn’t match up with this year’s popular strand of influenza.
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In fact, in Australia, this year's vaccine only proved to be about 10 percent effective.
Dr. Valenti says the goal is 70 to 80 percent effectiveness. Right now, he’s seeing numbers of about 10 to 30 percent effectiveness in the states.
Nonetheless - he says you should still get the vaccine, and that it's not too late. “Even though it may not be 100% effective, it's helpful,” Dr. Valenti explained. “So everything that we do is one step in preventing the strain of disease.”
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Other than getting the vaccine, how can we prevent catching the flu? Dr. Valenti says the flu is spread through droplets, meaning it can be acquired if you are in coughing distance of someone. It is not an airborne disease like many believe.
Those 'droplets' the doctor mentioned can live on surfaces for quite some time. That’s why he says it’s essential to wash your hands, disinfect surfaces, and avoid touching your face.