The Allegan County Health Department (ACHD) is recommending influenza precautions after a child who visited the Allegan County Fair in September tested positive for the H3N2 variant influenza. Currently there is no vaccine for H3N2v and the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H3N2v. Early treatment works best and may be especially important for people with a high risk condition.
Symptoms of H3N2v infection in people are similar to those of seasonal flu viruses and can include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Infections with influenza viruses, including variant viruses like H3N2v, can sometimes cause severe disease, even in healthy people. Complications can include pneumonia, which may require hospitalization, and sometimes results in death.
People who are at high risk of developing complications if they get influenza include children younger than five, those 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems, and neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions.//
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and ACHD reported the finding on Oct. 6.
Steps you can take to protect yourself and prevent the spread of any illness:
* Avoid close contact with sick people.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth since germs are spread this way.
* If you are sick, stay home from work or school until your illness is over.
* Get an annual influenza vaccination.
The incubation period (the time from exposure to illness) for H3N2v, as well as the usual, seasonal influenza, is one to seven days, and most commonly two days, so it is unlikely that there will be new cases from direct exposure at the Allegan County Fair.
“This variant flu virus has rarely been shown to spread from person to person but any individual with flu-like-symptoms should contact his or her medical provider and the health department. In addition, it is important to note, the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H3N2v,” said Allegan County Health Officer Angelique Joynes, MPH, RN.
For more information about H3N2v, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/h3n2v-basics.htm and/or contact Erin Radke, RN, ACHD Communicable Disease Nurse at 269-686-4551.
