County News
Flu Comes to Buncombe County - Public Urged to Receive Flu Shots
This news item expired on 1/31/2007, so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Flu has arrived in Buncombe County a month earlier than last year and health officials are predicting cases to peak in January. To be protected from the flu, residents are encouraged to get flu shots now at the Buncombe County Health Center.
“Seven cases of flu have been lab confirmed at Mission Hospitals,” said Rachel Long, Public Health Epidemiologist working at Mission Hospitals. “This may signal the start of flu in Buncombe County”, she said..jpg)
Flu is normally identified as “A” or “B” virus. “Most of the recent cases seen at Mission Hospitals this past week have been identified as influenza A virus, which is responsible for most flu cases, and is the more serious of the types,” said Long. Influenza B virus is less common and causes a milder illness, but it does have the potential to cause more severe disease.
Flu is a virus that is transferred from person to person through tiny droplets that become airborne when someone coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. Covering a cough or sneeze is important in preventing the spread of flu, but it’s equally important to think about how someone covers them.
“Think about what that person touched after covering their cough,” recommends Sue Ellen Morrison, Disease Control Manager at Buncombe County Health Center. “Do they move on to open a door, play with a toy, or pick up an item to look at while Christmas shopping?” Morrison advises people to cover their cough with a tissue and immediately throw it away, or to cough into the inside of their elbow, not into their hand. This is less likely to transfer the virus to others.
Occasionally a person can carry flu and not get infected themselves, but pass the infection on to others. Someone may also be infectious before experiencing any symptoms.
When a person receives a flu shot, it takes about 2 weeks for their body to build up full immunity to flu. With the holiday season in full swing with celebrations, family and friends gathering, shopping, and all the other busy activities of this time of year, it’s important that our community do what it can to prevent spreading illness. It isn’t too late to receive a flu shot so that you and those you care about can be protected.
Flu shots continue to be available for anyone 6 months of age or above at the Buncombe County Health Center, Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Cost for flu shots is $25 unless a participating insurance card is presented. Insurance providers who will reimburse the Health Center for flu shots include Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part B, Medicaid, Health Choice, Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance (except for the Blue Care Plan), and North Carolina State Employee/Teachers Insurance. Receipts are available for those who would like to file with their insurance company for reimbursement.
Children under the age of 18 years, who are at high risk or live in a household with a high risk individual, may receive a flu shot at no cost. Children between 6 – 59 months of age are considered at high risk. The Health Center has a limited quantity of Flu Mist suitable for healthy people between 5 and 49 years of age. Cost for Flu Mist is $40.
The Health Center has made flu vaccine available to area health care providers who may need it for their patients.
To hear updated information about flu vaccines or for a list of those at high risk of complications from flu, call the Flu Vaccine Hotline, 250-5300. The Hotline will be changed as new information becomes available.