Four people are hospitalized due to influenza in Northwest Georgia, part of a series of outbreaks statewide that signals an early — and concerning — start to Georgia’s flu season.
Flu is already widespread in the state — earlier than officials from the Georgia Department of Public Health have seen in recent years. In an announcement, state health officials advised residents to get a flu shot and take precautions to avoid contracting the virus.
“Yes, there are flu outbreaks in Georgia and indeed here in Northwest Georgia,” Logan Boss, a public information officer for the state Department of Health, said in an email. He added that four people were hospitalized in the Northwest Health District. “However, by definition, flu outbreaks can be as small as two cases in an assisted-living facility or nursing home or a much larger number of folks in a school.”
The Northwest Georgia Health District includes the counties of Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding, Polk and Walker.
Since the start of flu season this month, there have been 13 outbreaks statewide and 129 hospitalizations in the Atlanta metro area, according to Georgia health department statistics from the week ending Oct. 15, the most current available. That’s up from eight outbreaks statewide and 35 Atlanta-area hospitalizations for the week ending Oct. 8.
Statistics were not available for the North Georgia Health District, which includes Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties. However, officials have received reports that pediatricians in the district are seeing high numbers of cases among children, district spokeswoman Jennifer King said.
Boss added that while outbreaks are still being investigated, the department cannot comment on specifics about them. He also wouldn’t say how many of those outbreaks were in Northwest Georgia.
Statewide, Georgia has seen its first flu-related death of the season. No information was released by the state about the individual or where the death occurred.
The early onset of flu season is concerning, Boss said.
“This year, it is beginning to appear we could have a serious flu season, but we won’t know until after flu season,” Boss said by phone.
That’s after little flu activity for the past few years due to COVID-19, he said.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on its website that COVID-19 precautions like “wearing face masks, staying home, hand washing, school closures, reduced travel, increased ventilation of indoor spaces and physical distancing” likely contributed to the milder flu seasons recently.
(READ MORE: Georgia has nation’s highest flu rate; children among the hardest-hit)
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, according to Georgia health authorities.
“Every individual over the age of 6 months should get a flu vaccine — not just for their own protection but to protect others around them who may be more vulnerable to the flu and its complications,” said Dr. Kathleen E. Toomey, Georgia health commissioner, in a Wednesday announcement
“It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so now is the time to get a flu shot.”
Representatives from CHI Memorial Hospital in Fort Oglethorpe said in an emailed comment that their hospital hasn’t seen a rise in flu-related hospitalizations. Representatives from the Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton did not return a request for comment.
(READ MORE: Health experts urge public to get flu shot to head off ‘twindemic’)
Some people are at higher risk of flu, including people 65 years and older; everyone with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease; pregnant women and children younger than 5 — but especially those younger than 2 years old, according to the state health department.
Flu vaccines are available at public health departments, doctors’ offices, grocery stores, neighborhood clinics and pharmacies. To find a location, call 404-657-3158.
To prevent spreading the flu, according to the Georgia health department, wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, cough or sneeze into the crook of the elbow or arm to prevent spreading germs and avoid touching the face because flu germs can get into the body through mucus membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes.
Boss said flu activity isn’t measured by a specific number of cases or outbreaks but a system that monitors health care providers, emergency rooms, doctors’ offices and hospitals for influenza activity through periodic reports. Then, he said, the department calculates the percentage of provider visits for what the state health department calls influenza like illnesses — which could also include COVID-19.
The flu season in Georgia can run as late as May, state health officials said. Every year, the CDC estimates, 5% to 20% of Americans get the flu, about 36,000 die and 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu-related health complications.
Contact Andrew Wilkins at awilkins@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659. Follow him on Twitter @tweetatwilkins.