Date: March 6, 2008

FLU BULLETIN:  N.C. sees slight drop in flu cases

RALEIGH – The number of North Carolinians with flu or flu-like illness may be beginning to drop. That’s according to the state’s latest flu surveillance report, which was released this morning.

“We’re encouraged by these numbers, but it is too early to know if this is the beginning of a trend,” cautioned State Epidemiologist Dr. Jeff Engel. “We’ll have to wait for another week or two to see if flu cases continue to drop. Right now, flu remains widespread in North Carolina.”

The state monitors influenza-like illness during the flu season. Influenza-like illness is a temperature of 100 degrees or greater and cough or sore throat. Seventy-six health care providers statewide report the number of people they are seeing with these symptoms weekly.  Based on those reports, public health experts determine how the flu is progressing across the state.

The latest report is for the week ending March 1. Health care providers reported 4.95 percent of patients seen had influenza-like illness, down from 5.83 percent in the previous week.

Public health officials have these tips for preventing spread of the flu:

• Wash your hands, wash your hands, and wash your hands.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• If you have flu symptoms, seek medical care.  There are prescription drugs that can relieve flu symptoms.
• If you are sick, stay home.