Health officials report on flu, chlamydia

The good news from Wahkiakum Health and Human Services is that, so far this fall, the flu season is light.

The bad news is that the county is seeing a surge of chlamydia cases among people ages 18-24.

County Human Services Director Judy Bright and Public Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Vines reported on these and other issue to the county board of health, which is also the county board of commissioners, on Tuesday.

"There is so little flu activity this year that I can't give you regional data," Dr. Vines said.

There have been cases reported, but so far there is no serious outbreak, she said. Strains reported include the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, which feared to become epidemic last winter.

However, there has been a surge in chlamydia cases this fall, she said. Chlamydia is transmitted sexually, and women suffer from its symptoms much more than men. When diagnosed early, it is easily treatable, she said.

In the past eight weeks, there have been six cases reported involving Wahkiakum County residents in the 18-24 age group. So far in 2010, there have been a total of seven cases, which is high for the county. Cowlitz County is also seeing and outbreak, she said.

Of those with the illness, half showed symptoms and the others were diagnosed through routine exams. Half of the victims were women, and half were men.

Because the disease is a reportable disease, the health department is notified when someone is diagnosed with it in the county, Bright said. The public health nurse attempts to learn who was the victim's sexual partner and contact them to notify them of the exposure and get them treated.