Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Angolans participate in the Kasseque fish market on the Atlantic ocean beach in Benguela on January 29, 2010 during the African Nations Cup football tournament which takes place in their country. A

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H1N1 infections are declining, but public health officials are urging consumers not to become complacent about the bug.The pandemic virus still is making people sick, health officials said, and could make a comeback by spring.

“It’s still out there. It’s still going to cause morbidity and mortality,” said Steven R. Katkowsky, director of the Northern Kentucky Health Department. “It’s definitely out there and we definitely need to be vigilant.”

Health officials Wednesday reported Northern Kentucky’s sixth fatality linked to H1N1 flu. The victim, identified only as a Kenton County woman in her 50s, died in November, but test results only recently became available showing she had H1N1. She also had “significant” underlying health problems, Katkowsky said.

“Swine flu is an unpredictable virus,” he said. “Thus, it is important to take steps to protect ourselves from the illness.”

That protection includes vaccination, he said, along with measures like frequent hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes.

Northern Kentucky health officials Wednesday announced their first H1N1 vaccination initiative for the general public. Residents in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties can call health centers in their county beginning Monday to schedule a vaccination. Health department staff will start giving the inoculations on Jan. 20.

Health departments serving Cincinnati, Norwood and Warren County are also offering H1N1 vaccine to the public.

When cases were at their highest, vaccine was in scarce supply, and available only to those at highest risk for complications from the flu strain.

Plenty of vaccine is available now through health departments, physician offices and pharmacies, including Walgreen’s and Kroger. But now that there are fewer H1N1 cases, some public health officials worry consumers won’t get vaccinated.

The vaccines are available free through health departments.

The vaccine is provided free to pharmacies and physicians’ offices, but they charge for administering the vaccine and for office visits.

Fees vary by pharmacy. Walgreen’s is offering the vaccine for $18, while the cost is $10 at Kroger.

H1N1 will likely still keep circulating for at least the next several weeks, Katkowsky said, and could remain active until April or May.

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