Influenza Activity Continues to Increase Across New Mexico

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 26 January 2018 26 January 2018

 


It’s Not Too Late to Get the Flu Vaccine!

SANTA FE, NM – Influenza (flu) activity continues to increase across New Mexico. Since October, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has investigated 21 flu outbreaks in long-term care facilities, which is more than was reported during the entire 2016-2017 flu season. Influenza-related hospitalizations, especially in those aged 65 and older, continue to steadily increase. There have been 18 influenza related deaths and 72 pneumonia related deaths in adults to date this season.

“It is important to remember we are still in the middle of the influenza season, and people who have not yet been vaccinated still have time to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Dr. Michael Landen, NMDOH State Epidemiologist. “It is important to remain vigilant to reduce the impact that flu is having on our communities.”

In addition to vaccination for all persons 6 months and older, NMDOH recommends good hand hygiene, coughing and sneezing etiquette as the best methods to prevent flu.

Flu vaccines are offered in many locations, including doctor's offices, hospitals, public health offices, and pharmacies, as well as by many employers and some schools. NMDOH encourages those with health insurance to contact their healthcare provider or pharmacist about getting the flu vaccine.

NMDOH is providing no-cost flu shots this weekend at the KOB Pull Together Health & Wellness Fair at the Lujan Exhibit Hall at EXPO New Mexico (while supplies last). The event runs Saturday, January 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, January 28, Noon to 4 p.m. There is no charge to those attending the clinic, but everyone should bring their insurance card, including Medicaid or Medicare, with them.

Additionally, the UNM Medical Group is hosting a drive-thru flu shot clinic for community members ages nine and up Saturday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m. – noon. The event will be held at 1801 Camino de Salud NE, near the UNM Dental Clinic on UNM’s Health Sciences Center north campus.

To find out about other flu vaccination clinics throughout the state or to see where flu vaccine is being offered, visit the HealthMap Vaccine Finder website or call 1-800-280-1618 (option 4) for the Public Health Division Immunization Program.

Individuals that become ill with flu (or flu-like symptoms) in the following high-risk categories should receive antiviral medications empirically (do not wait for a positive test):

Pregnant women (any trimester) and up to two weeks post-partum
Children younger than 5 years, but especially children younger than 2 years old
People age 65 years and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and lung or heart disease and those with immunosuppression from medication or disease
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including healthcare personnel and caregivers of babies younger than 6 months
American Indians and Alaskan Natives
People who are morbidly obese

For more information about flu vaccination, visit the New Mexico Department of Health’sinfluenza website.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for key facts about flu vaccination and coughing and sneezing etiquette.

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.