The flu season is in full swing in Kane County, and although there’s some anecdotal evidence of folks with sore throats and runny noses, the percentage of flu-related emergency room visits is relative low.

According to the Kane County Health Department’s flu surveillance report for Week 45 of 2016, 1.8 percent of reported hospital emergency room visits was for influenza-like illness. Labs reported that four of 2013 specimens tested positive for influenza. Flu-related absence from schools was 0.15 percent of the student population.

Last year about this time, we were trending a bit above previous years. During the 2015-16 flu season, we trended trended up in Week 6 and peaked in Week 8 in February.

Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. In the United States, thousands of healthy adults and children have to visit the doctor or are hospitalized from flu complications each year and some die. Studies going back 30 years to 1976 show that seasonal flu-related deaths have ranged from about 3,000 people to 49,000 people. Studies going back to 1976 have found that flu-related deaths ranged from a low of 4,700 to a high of 56,600 (average 25,500).

Kane County starts analyzing the flu data in Week 40, as you can see by the graphic at the top of this article. Generally speaking, there’s one big bell curve every year, so stay tuned to the Health Department report and Kane County Connects for regular updates.

To follow the weekly flu surveillance reports and to learn more about what you can do to prevent flu, visit this page of the Kane County Health Department website.

About the Kane County Health Department

In active partnership with our community, the Kane County Health Department improves the quality of life and well-being of all residents by developing and implementing local policies, systems, and services that protect and promote health, and prevent disease, injury and disability. Visit the Health Department’s Facebook Page and sign up for the award-winning “Health Matters” newsletter.