By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — Though a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that Indiana’s H1N1 infection remains widespread, local hospitals say cases of the disease seem to be on the decline.
Indiana was listed as one of 25 states still considered to have widespread cases of the H1N1 flu, known also as swine flu, according to the CDC.
State numbers show a drastic decline in flu-related cases.
Influenza-like illnesses reported by the emergency department surveillance system are at 2.7 percent, continuing to decrease over the past six weeks from a high of 12.7 percent, a state flu Web site reports.
The state compiles weekly data monitoring the flu and posts it to www.in.gov/flu.
Although numbers are declining, the state reports that flu-like illness is still higher than what has been seen in recent years.
Local agencies are also noting a steep decline compared to two months ago.
“Our emergency department medical director said that they have seen a minimal number of patients with H1N1 symptoms in the ER and it seems that it is on the decline for now,” said Ryan Long of St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood.
Community Hospital in Anderson reported a similar decrease.
According to Gary Brazel, Saint John’s Health System chief medical officer, “The last two days we have seen a slight increase again through the emergency department, nothing close to a month ago.”
Over the past two months, the Madison County Health Department has hosted a handful of H1N1 vaccination clinics.
Kelly Kelley of the county health department said vaccinations have been reserved for high-risk groups including medical workers, people under 24 years of age, the parents of infants, pregnant women and those with a pre-existing medical condition.
She said the protocols for upcoming clinics will be similar, serving high-risk patients over the general population.
The Indiana Department of Health reports that, as of Dec. 8, a total of 733,765 2009 H1N1 vaccinations had been given in Indiana.
Vaccinations have been given to approximately 19.9 percent of high-risk persons in the state, the department reported.
About 45 percent of medical personnel have been vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.
The state reports 36 flu-related deaths since June, including 34 confirmed H1N1 flu deaths.
During the first few weeks of H1N1 vaccination clinics, the state ran out of seasonal flu vaccine as manufacturers struggled to keep up with demand for H1N1 vaccines.
Seasonal flu clinics have resumed locally.
Saint John’s Med One Urgent Care Center will have a seasonal flu clinic on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., or as long as the supply lasts. The shot costs $30.
Community Home Health Services has an upcoming flu clinic at Mounds Mall, offering only seasonal flu shots on Saturday, Dec. 19, from noon to 2 p.m.
Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
