Influenza infecting Southwest Michigan
graphic by zach kreiner and sky stockton
While many people around the world have been focused on the Wuhan coronavirus, a more common virus has been causing much more terror in the United States: influenza.
The 2019-2020 flu season has taken a tough toll on Americans this year. According to the United States Centers for Disease and Prevention, levels of the flu have been increasing and maintaining high. The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Flu Focus report has shown similar activity in Michigan and in Berrien County.
“The 2019-2020 Flu season has been a fairly burdensome one,” Mr. Guy Miller, Berrien County Health Department Epidemiologist, said.
According to Miller, the flu is a broad term that is used to describe a “contagious respiratory virus which spreads from person to person through respiratory secretions.” The flu is most often spread from person to person when an infected person has a runny nose or cough. Infectious particles are left on tables, door handles, and in the air. While there are many types of flu, it is generally broken down into two subgroups: influenza A and influenza B. Typically Influenza A is the most common strand found during the flu season. It includes commonly known strains such as swine and bird flu.
The flu is most common during winter months due to human behavior. During the winter, people tend to stay inside and have more contact with each other—allowing germs to spread faster. This has become very prominent in Berrien County schools in the past month.
Over this flu season, it’s estimated that between 12,000 and 30,000 people have already died due to influenza. Mr. Miller reassures that most of these deaths occur in people who are already struggling with other health problems or weaken immune systems. He says that flu is most dangerous for “children younger than 5, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant and postpartum women, residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities, and people with severe health conditions such as cancer, heart disease or kidney disease.”
In the month of January, several Berrien County schools closed their doors for a day or two due to the high number of kids infected with the flu.
“Our student numbers were falling for several days, especially in the lower grades. As well, our staff members were falling off due to illness. We had so many out that we could not get subs for more than 10% of those affected.” Mr. Phillip "Ric" Seager, Superintendent of Watervliet Public Schools, describes why he decided to close school for a few days. Watervliet Public Schools were closed on February 5 and 6.
Bridgman Public Schools also closed for a day on January 31, to give students an extra day to recover.
“We closed our school district on Friday, January 31, 2020 because we were experiencing a high level of absenteeism in all three of our buildings.” Mr. Shane M. Peters, Superintendent of Bridgman Public Schools, said.
Both superintendents states that their numbers were much below average and their decision was based on the fact that they wanted their students to become healthier. This was one of the worst flu seasons, both Mr. Peters and Mr. Seager has ever seen.
In an email to parents, Dr. Thomas Bruce, St. Joseph Public Schools Superintendent, reassured parents and students that St. Joseph Schools are doing well and are of no concern of closing due to the flu.
“While we are noticing more students going home sick, our absentee numbers are not out of the ordinary for this time of year. Our current districtwide attendance rate is above 90%. The state of Michigan does not recognize an illness issue until the district attendance average is below 75%.”
To prevent the spread of the flu, Mr. Miller suggests that the safest option is to get the flu shot: “Although the vaccine is never 100% effective, it is effective at decreasing the duration of flu symptoms and reducing the severity of illness if a vaccinated person does acquire the flu.”
While many Americans do not get the flu shot, he also says that hand washing, sanitation and staying away from others when presenting with symptoms is the best way to stop the spread. All the superintendents suggest that keeping students out of school when having flu related symptoms is the best for the student and others around them.
“Most important for our families; please remember to keep students home for 24 hours after a high temperature returns to normal or vomiting has discontinued. This small amount of caution will prevent more students and staff from contracting the flu.” Dr. Bruce said in the email.
cover photo by pixabay from pexels.com