The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, is reporting the first confirmed case of influenza (flu) of the 2005-2006 flu season. The case, which was confirmed by the state Public Health Laboratory last week, was from Clarke County in northeast Georgia.

Although state health officials and CDC experts say this year’s flu season has been slower to start than is typical, they point out that each flu season is unique, and a late start does not necessarily indicate a mild flu season.

“It is the time of year when we expect flu to pick up,” said Dr. Stuart Brown, director of the Division of Public Health. “We’ll continue to monitor flu activity in the state throughout the winter and into the spring.” He emphasized that the case of flu confirmed in Georgia was not avian influenza, but a common influenza A (H3) virus.

Health officials say that holiday gatherings and travel often help spread the flu, and recommend that anyone with fever of other flu-like symptoms limit their contact with family gatherings and observe cough etiquette in the presence of others. Frequent hand washing, especially before eating, can also help reduce the risk of becoming infected with flu and other respiratory viruses that circulate this time of year.

“It’s unfortunate that the gatherings we look forward to at holiday times also create an environment in which flu can spread fairly easily,” said Brown. “When you have a lot of people in a home, and the windows are closed, and there is a lot of hugging and kissing and close contact, it is easy to spread germs.”

Influenza is a respiratory illness characterized by high fever (102 degrees or greater), muscle aches, headache, and dry cough, that can last from a few days to over a week. Children can also experience gastrointestinal symptoms with flu, including diarrhea and vomiting. Although most people survive influenza illness without incident, the elderly, infants and children, and people with certain chronic medical conditions are most prone to complications from flu, most notably pneumonia. Approximately 36,000 people die as a result of influenza each year in the U.S.

The most effective way to prevent or lessen the severity of the flu is to receive a flu vaccination. Although shipping delays affected vaccine supply in some parts of Georgia during the fall months, flu vaccine continues to be available in the state. Health officials say it is not too late to be vaccinated; flu season in Georgia typically peaks in late January and early February. For an overview of flu activity in the U.S., visit www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm.

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