Officials call Hawaii
flu rate ‘moderate’

Flu-like illnesses in Hawaii are running at a higher rate than on the mainland, but it is still a moderate to mild flu season here, says a state health official.

"It's probably more of a mild season," said Dr. Sarah Park, deputy chief of the Health Department's Disease Outbreak and Control Division.

But respiratory illness is still going around and flu is on the rise, with a couple months to go in the influenza season, she said.

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People keep asking if the season is at its peak or coming down, she said, adding her belief that "we're in the middle somewhere. The truth is, we don't know until we're absolutely through it.

"For us in Hawaii, the flu shot is still a valuable thing."

Nationally, so-called sentinel physicians conduct surveillance for influenza-like illnesses for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Hawaii, 35 sentinel doctors are collaborating with the state Health Department. They reported for the week ending March 5 that 7.7 percent of their patients -- up from 6.3 percent the week before -- had flu-like illnesses. Nationally, U.S. sentinel doctors reported 4 percent of patients had influenza-like illness.

No deaths from influenza were reported by Hawaii's sentinel doctors for the week ending March 5 but 10 deaths were attributed to pneumonia, Park said.

Residents are advised to wash their hands frequently to protect against the flu virus.

Those who are sick with flu-like symptoms such as fever, aches and pains, coughing and runny nose should see a doctor as soon as possible for tests and treatment if it is flu, Park said.

Information on clinics that have flu vaccinations available may be obtained by calling 211. Information also is available about influenza viruses and flu shots on the Health Department's Web site: www.hawaii.gov/health.