Health Officer Says Flu Season Isn't Here Yet

According to Dr. William Remington, Kosciusko County health officer, the influenza season really hasn't hit Indiana yet.

"Most typically," he told the Kosciusko County Board of Health Wednesday, "the influenza season is in January or February or a little bit later."

So far, influenza in Indiana has been sporadic.

This year, Remington said, there has been a shortage of the influenza vaccination. One hundred million doses were expected to be provided to the United States, but one of the companies providing them failed to provide half of them. "That created quite a bit of uproar," he said.

Because of the vaccine shortage, the Centers for Disease Control compiled a list of priority patients who should receive the shots. The CDC is attempting to dole out what shots are remaining to the most needy people.

The Kosciusko County Health Department ordered 600 doses of vaccine in February. County health nurse Deb Frank has given immunizations to close to 1,000 people, Remington said, mostly senior citizens.

The bulk of vaccinations are done locally by private physicians, but with the shortage this year, Remington said, some people have said they wished the health department would take all vaccinations over. "That would be quite a leap for us to order 10,000 next year ... and would break the bank."

Orders for next year's vaccinations for the county health department will be made in February or March. Remington said if the county wants to be a larger participant with the influenza vaccinations next year, the board would have to figure out how they could come up with the money and if the health department should charge a fee for the shots.

Frank said neighboring county health departments aren't ordering large quantities for next year. Marshall County isn't ordering any flu shots except for their county employees.

Joan Darr, Kosciusko Community Hospital, said the hospital orders their vaccinations based on past dosages given. From the hospital's standpoint, "We'd rather continue to do the same as we did in the past."

Remington agreed, saying even though this year has been difficult, he didn't think the county health department should order thousands of doses to be delivered to the public. The county should continue to rely on private practices providing them. The county will increase the number of doses ordered next year, up to 1,000.

Frank said she targets senior citizens 55 years old and older, previously sick persons and Cardinal Center clients for flu shots. If the county wanted to charge for the shots, they could charge around $10. Pre-made receipts could be made for anyone who wanted to bill their cost to Medicaid. County employees probably wouldn't be charged.

The health department participated in a county emergency management agency-sponsored disaster/bio-terrorism drill Nov. 20 for training purposes, said Bob Weaver, county health department administrator.

The mock disaster was set up as a train having derailed in Milford with passengers heading toward Chicago. A release of white substance from a passenger's possession was simulated. The substance was identified as potential anthrax.

The health department set up a mini-clinic and "handed out medications." The drill was to see how quick response time was. Observers from the state department of health were on hand to critique the response.

"We played a role in that along with other county agencies," said Weaver. "It went pretty well. It was small scale."

"It was interesting," said Frank. "You didn't know what to expect until you got there. A lot of people were there."

Weaver said they learned a lot and "I don't think it will be the last one."

Remington then reported on the West Nile virus. He said the reports of the virus across Indiana this year were light. Kosciusko County only had one case reported, but that person thought it likely was imported from time spent in Florida, he said.

The state with the most cases this year was California with about 800 reported, while Colorado was just shy of 300. In 2003, Colorado had the most number of cases.

It's been observed in Egypt, Remington said, that the severity of the West Nile virus comes in cycles.

"This will be with us for years," said Remington. "Overall it has quieted down a bit."

People still need to avoid mosquito bites in the summer.

In one last bit of business, the board of health heard a presentation on board development from Lynette Tucker, Indiana Public Health Association public health education coordinator for Northern Indiana.

IPHA is a nonprofit public health association that promotes public wellness.

The next meeting is set for March 16, 2005, at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw.

Health board members are president Dr. Wymond B. Wilson, Dr. Karen Boling, Dr. Dennis Woodward, Robert Knudsen, Dr. John W. Jones, Dr. Thomas E. Howard and Joan Darr.