Late flu season hits region hard

SANDPOINT — March traditionally heralds the end of flu season, but North Idaho is bucking that trend with a recent spike in flu-related illnesses, according to the Panhandle Health District.

While nationwide data shows the flu waning in most parts of the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the virus is “widespread” in Idaho.

Hospitals in Idaho’s five northern counties have conducted 456 tests this year, with 68 of those tests, or 15 percent, returning positive for the flu virus, according to PHD officials.

While the numbers are worrisome, Cynthia Taggart of the health district said it is not uncommon to see North Idaho’s flu season stretch beyond the rest of the nation.

“It’s a little bit late for us, but this is our typical flu season,” Taggart said. “So it may be declining nationally because it’s already moved through other areas — flu seasons kind of vary. Usually we’re heaviest at the end of February or early March, so we’re just a week or two past that.”

The flu virus is not reportable in Idaho, but school absentee rates and the number of visits to medical offices offer an indication of how widespread it is. Lab tests at Bonner General Hospital from late February to last week returned 31 percent positive for flu. Of the 54 tests administered at the hospital, 17 came back positive for the virus.

Elsewhere in the area, absentee rates at a middle school in Benewah County ranged from 15 percent to 18 percent last week. The typical absentee rate is 6 percent. Boundary County school absentee rates hovered in the 10 to 11 percent range last week, according to Taggart.

North Idaho has also seen two flu-related deaths since October, one male and one female.

Despite the recent spike, Taggart said the region’s flu season has been generally mild so far.

“Actually, our numbers are lower than usual. It was below the threshold, so if this is our spike then we’re in pretty good standing,” Taggart said.

Because many people with flu-like symptoms do not go to the doctor, Taggart said knowing exactly how widespread the virus is can be difficult. The flu, which is a respiratory illness, produces symptoms ranging from fever, headache, fatigue and, sometimes, a cough and sore throat.

 People with flu symptoms should rest, drink plenty of fluid, take Tylenol or ibuprofen and protect themselves from the virus by practicing good hygiene, Taggart said.