State’s 1st Flu Case Found in O.C.

The first case of influenza A in the state has been identified in Orange County, signaling the start of the flu season and underscoring the need for people to get flu shots now, public health officials said Tuesday.

The isolated, identified influenza A virus was cultured from a 3-month-old boy who was admitted to the St. Joseph Hospital complex in Orange on Oct. 9 for treatment of bronchitis. The unidentified child, whose family is from La Puente, has recovered, authorities said.

Orange County public health authorities notified the state health department, as part of state and national efforts to track the spread of the virus. Although Orange County’s virus isolate was recorded first, a second case from Los Angeles County was identified about the same time, said Dr. Hildy Meyers, medical director of communicable disease control and epidemiology for Orange County.

In California, the first influenza virus isolate of the season usually is identified in October or November, according to county health officials. However, the peak of the flu season usually occurs in late December or early January.

Isolating the virus is important because the information tells health authorities whether to brace for influenza A or B, two different viral strains, Meyers said. Once the strain is identified, health officials then can gear up with the proper medicines for treatment, she said.

Influenza viruses cause fever, headache, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, runny nose and fatigue. The flu generally lasts two to seven days, although a cough can linger, health officials said.

Flu vaccines are recommended for the elderly, residents of nursing or other group homes, and adults and children with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, kidneys, metabolism (such as diabetes mellitus) or with suppressed immune systems. The shots also are recommended for children and adolescents on long-term aspirin therapy, pregnant women whose third trimesters fall within the flu season, and health care workers who are exposed to high-risk patients.

Health officials don’t know how many cases occur each season, because most people who come down with influenza are able to treat themselves at home.

But county health officials regularly contact hospital emergency departments during the flu season to get a rough idea of the number of people with upper respiratory infections serious enough to warrant emergency treatment, Meyers said. Also, schools report instances of high absenteeism to the county, and certain doctors have an agreement with the county to routinely test patients for the virus, in order to track it in the general population, Meyers said.

The epidemiologist cautioned that most respiratory illnesses and colds during the winter are not influenza.

“There are other viruses out there that make people sick,” Meyers said.