Still time to get flu shots as virus hits early and hard
The influenza virus has swept into Hawaii earlier and harder than in past seasons, making it even more important for islanders to get flu shots, health officials said today.From Sept. 29 through December, 92 influenza cases were identified, compared with only 10 for that period last year, said Judy Strait-Jones, state Health Department Immunization Program coordinator. Cases to date total 99.
The cases were confirmed in a stepped-up surveillance program, she said. "We were able to pinpoint it was mostly high school students who got it."
Besides earlier and "more substantial" flu activity, the Type B influenza strain has made an early appearance, said Michele Nakata, investigations unit supervisor in the Epidemiology Branch.
Normally, it doesn't show up until March or April, toward the end of the flu season, she said. However, five of the 99 cases so far were identified as the Type B Sichuan strain.
Others are the Type A Panama strain. Both strains are covered by this year's vaccine, Nakata said.
About a dozen Hawaii physicians are participating in the U.S. Influenza Sentinel Physician Surveillance Program, she said. They report flu-like symptoms weekly to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which provides a good picture of influenza-like illness in communities.
She said physicians take two swabs from patients with flu symptoms. One goes to the state laboratory for culturing and the other to laboratories supplied by the DOH with rapid flu test kits. Results are reported back to physicians to help in treating patients.
Hawaii is the first state to use both rapid flu tests and virus cultures in flu surveillance, the DOH said. Rapid test results are available under 24 hours, while routine cultures can take two weeks.
It's not too late for people to get flu shots, which take about two weeks to be fully effective, because the season runs through mid-May.
High-risk patients, including older people and those with chronic diseases, are susceptible to influenza and severe, even fatal, complications. Medicare Part B insurance covers flu shots.
To find out where shots are available, call Ask Aloha United Way at 275-2000. Neighbor Island residents can call 1-877-275-6569 toll free.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
HONOLULU
Halawa prisoner pegged as suspect in robbery
A man awaiting trial for assaulting two people with a hammer and stabbing a person at a home in Waikele last month was arrested and charged with robbing three Kakaako businesses in the days following the attacks.Police arrested Robert Flubacher, 35, yesterday, at the Halawa Correctional Facility, for the armed robberies of the 7-Eleven store at 1260 Ala Moana Boulevard on Dec. 6, the 7-Eleven at 1695 Kapiolani Boulevard on Dec. 8 and the French Wrench Shell Service Station at 520 Ward Ave. on Dec. 9.
In each case, police said, Flubacher brandished a knife. He has already been charged with robbery, two counts of first-degree assault and driving a stolen car in the Dec. 4 incident in Waikele.
Charges filed against man in Pearl City chase
A man who led police on a wild chase in Pearl City Wednesday morning is being charged with four counts of first degree attempted murder for allegedly attempting to run over four police officers during the pursuit.One of the officers fired several shots at the car driven by John Dias Jr.
Dias Jr., 35, is also charged with criminal property damage, driving a stolen car, breaking into a car and failing to register as a sex offender.
The chase began when officers responded to a call of a man breaking into a car in the parking lot of a Pearl City bar. Police said Dias Jr. fled in a stolen car, eventually ramming the gate at Pacheco Park next to the Pearl City Police Station. He then reversed the car toward four officers, police said. Dias Jr. smashed the car into a traffic signal on Kamehameha Highway and fled on foot, leaving the car on the Lehua Avenue median.
Bail is set at $200,000. First-degree attempted murder carries a maximum prison term of life in prison without parole.
Dias Jr. was on parole and near the end of a 10-year prison sentence after a Nov. 18, 1992, conviction for second-degree sexual assault. In August 2000, he was arrested for violating his parole and released again on parole. Dias also served prison time for a 1987 burglary conviction and a 1986 sexual-assault conviction.
Fire at vacant building may have been arson
Fire investigators were trying to determine the cause of a fire last night that damaged a Kalihi building that apparently was vacant.The fire at 540 N. Nimitz Highway was reported at 7:41 p.m. and extinguished by 7:58 p.m. Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said the fire began near an old electrical panel on the front of the building. The cause of the fire appeared to be suspicious.
LEEWARD OAHU
Owners of stolen van help police catch suspect
A Waipahu couple who saw their stolen van aided police yesterday in the recovery of the van and apprehension of a suspect.Police said the couple saw the van, which had been stolen Tuesday, being driven on Paiwa Street by someone they didn't know. There were two passengers in the van.
They followed it to its destination, then called police.
Officers arrested the 41-year-old male driver and the two passengers -- a man, 36, and a woman, 23 -- without incident, police said.
Man hurt after wife runs her car into him
A 34-year-old woman was arrested yesterday after she allegedly injured her husband by running into him with her car.Police said the 35-year-old man, who was riding his bicycle, saw his wife on Hakimo Road, got off his bike and tried to flag her down as he stood in the path of the vehicle she was driving, police said.
The woman allegedly drove into her husband, cutting his right knee. Police said she stopped to check on him, determined he was OK and continued on to work, police said.
