By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
JEFFERSON — Local health officials fear the arrival of warmer weather may prompt people to drop their guard regarding the threat posed by flu, especially the troublesome H1N1 flu virus.
“We’re still technically in flu season,” said Ray Saporito, Ashtabula County health commissioner.
Last fall, local health departments geared up a series of clinics to immunize as many people as possible to ward off the so-called swine flu, or H1N1. The clinics provided free vaccine to thousands of county school kids and adults — but many people are still untreated.
Health experts realize when the sun is shining and birds are chirping, it’s tough to put a flu shot on a must-do list. Actually, illness can jump this time of year, thanks to people who rush the season.
“Spring is a prime time where we see a lot of viral diseases,” said Christine Hill, Ashtabula health commissioner.
For that reason, health agencies haven’t relaxed in their quest to immunize residents and to urge good hygiene to minimize the spread of germs.
“People shouldn’t let their guard down,” said Barb Distelrath, nursing director for Conneaut’s health department.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting a nationwide lull in flu-related illness. However, most of the flu activity is blamed on the H1N1 strain, which popped up in 2009.
Over the past several months, local health departments met the challenge with a series of clinics in schools and locations across the county. Many were given the vaccine, but many more have ignored the call.
“People are still at risk,” Saporito said. “Flu comes in waves. It’s still best to get the vaccine.”
Treatment is free and plenty of vaccine is still on hand, officials said. Departments are offering H1N1 vaccine at their usual clinics.
A push is under way to convince kids under 10 who received an initial H1N1 immunization to return for a follow-up booster treatment, Hill said. “Some kids didn’t return for that second shot,” she said.
Ashtabula County have registered three clinically-confirmed cases of H1N1, but many more were suspected, officials said.
