H1N1 flu receding for now in county

The tide of illness from H1N1 (swine) flu is receding in the lower Columbia region, health officials said Tuesday.

Incidence of the disease peaked in early November, said Dr. Jennifer Vines, county health officer.

Wahkiakum County has been part of a regional response team that includes officials from Skamania, Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. This fall, the region has had 151 people hospitalized with H1N1 flu, and three people have died.

Only two Wahkiakum residents were hospitalized, Vines said, and there were no deaths among county residents.

Because incidence of the disease is diminishing, the county is dropping out of the regional response team and going into routine independent management, said Health and Human Services Director Judy Bright.

The county health department is continuing to administer H1N1 vaccine.

Vaccinations are going first to priority groups: Pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers of children under six months old, health care and emergency services personnel, people age six months through 24 years, and persons age 25-64 years with health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from H1N1.

People seeking vaccinations should call the health department at 795-6207 or 888-452-0326 to see if vaccinations are available, Bright said. So far, the department has vaccinated 663 people in the county, Bright said.

"We expect to have enough vaccine to vaccinate everyone who wants it," Vines said. "Demand peaked when the illness peaked.

"It's still important to get vaccinated since we don't know when it will return."

Bright commented that the regional response has involved over 100 health department staff and 144 volunteers. The regional response has cost $823,280, with Wahkiakum's expense around $25,000.

Funds from the national Center for Disease Control will cover the expense, she said.