By Stan Matthews
County Website and Communications Manager
Clinical tests have confirmed two cases of influenza in San Juan County County. One case, on San Juan Island, required hospitalization after the disease progressed to pneumonia. Neither victim had received a flu vaccination.
The San Juan County Health Department, which tracks absenteeism trends at schools in the County, also reports that absentee patterns at Orcas High School and on Lopez may indicate an increase in cases of the flu among students; however that has not yet been confirmed by laboratory tests.
“The best way to prevent influenza is by getting vaccinated each year,” said Dr. Frank James, San Juan County Health Officer. “It is especially important to get vaccinated this year because two of the three virus strains used in this season’s influenza vaccines differ from the strains included in last year’s vaccines.”
The Health Department recommends that anyone over 6 months of age be vaccinated. Private health care providers and SJC public health clinics have influenza vaccine available by appointment.
For more information contact the San Juan County Health Department at: (360) 378-4474.
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