Influenza Cases Up In County, State

RISON - After experiencing a couple of seasons with lowerthan-usual cases of influenza, the flu seems to have rebounded this year as the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is reporting a "very high" level of flu-like illnesses being reported across the state. In its latest weekly report from Nov. 19, ADH reported that the Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) activity level was at 12 on a scale of 13. That 12 reflected an increase of one point from the 11 that was reported for the previous week. Any indicator level at 11 or higher is considered "very high" activity. The activity level is based on data submitted to the ILINet website by clinics from across the state. Jamie Hurst, administrator for the Cleveland County Health Unit at Rison, said the state does not break down flu cases on a county level, but from her personal observation locally, there has been a significant uptick in flu-like illnesses this year compared to last year. She mentioned that many of the staff at the health unit had gotten. Based on the data from the state, most of the flu cases being diagnosed are of the Type A variety. The age group with the highest number of ILI cases is for young people age 5 to 17. The two adult groups with the highest number of cases were those age 25-44 followed by those age 45-64. While the fewest cases among adults was reported in the 65 and older age group, that group also had the highest number of hospitalizations from flu. Lynn Wilson of Rison Phar-macy said her business has seen a significant increase in prescriptions for from local doctors for medications to treat the flu and other respiratory illnesses. She said it was especially high just before the Thanksgiving holiday. "This year, it's (flu/respiratory illnesses) coming back with a vengenance," she said. Wilson pointed out that it is not too late to get a flu shot to help prevent or lessen the symptoms from the flu. She said there a...