Georgia sees rise in flu-related deaths

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By Misty Williams

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The number of flu-related deaths in Georgia climbed to five last month, up from one reported death in November, new data shows.

John Spink, jspink@ajc.com Overall, the Southeast has been hit significantly harder than most areas of the country, with widespread flu activity reported in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Virginia.

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Overall, the Southeast has been hit significantly harder than most areas of the country, with widespread flu activity reported in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Virginia, as well as New York, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, flu is unpredictable so that could change, said Tom Skinner, a CDC spokesman.

“There really is no rhyme or reason to why a certain part of the country might see more activity at a certain time of year versus another region,” Skinner said.

To track flu levels, Georgia public health officials gather information from 77 health care providers throughout the state, which report on the percentage of their patients with symptoms like coughing, a sore throat or fever. In the week ending Dec. 25, providers reported that roughly 7 percent of patients they saw had flu-like symptoms, according to the state Division of Public Health. Nationally, 2.7 percent of patients showed flu-like symptoms, according to the CDC.

The state health office also reported that more than 100 people in metro Atlanta have been hospitalized because of the flu so far this season.

This flu season is more typical for Georgia than last year's, when an H1N1 pandemic caused many more deaths, said Dr. Cherie Drenzek, director of acute disease epidemiology at the state public health office.

“It’s a little earlier in time, but it’s not much different as far as intensity or numbers,” Drenzek said.

Health officials say H1N1 is still present this year, but another strain of flu is more pervasive.

Flu season typically peaks in January or February, so it’s not too late to get vaccinated, Skinner said. Vaccination is recommended for everyone over 6 months old and covers three strains of flu including H1N1.

“Vaccination is the single most important thing people can do to protect themselves,” Skinner said.

Marietta family physician Dr. Brian Nadolne said he’s seen a significant upswing in flu activity in recent weeks.

His practice, Nadolne Family Medicine & Preventive Care, has seen seven to eight flu patients in the past five days, he said. “That’s a lot. We usually don’t see so many.”

Nadolne said he’s seen an uptick of 30 percent or more in flu cases compared with last year, though the severity of symptoms is about the same.

“I think this is the beginning,” he said. “I think this is a very heavy season so far.”