Butler County sees jump in flu cases as U.S. reaches 10-year high for children

The number of new flu-associated hospitalizations in Butler County rose in the week of Feb. 2-8, which mirrored a trend in the state.

There were 29 flu-related hospital stays in Butler County, up from 14 the previous week, according to the Butler County General Health District. The 29 were the highest this flu season since the county reported 34 the week ending Jan. 4.

That number is slightly lower than the county would normally expect to see, according to the three-year-average of 32. There have been 134 reported hospitalizations in Butler County this flu season, a decrease of 61 compared to the overall three-year average.

MORE: After Butler County flu death, officials said this season may be worse than normal

In the state, the 994 hospitalizations from Feb. 2-8 marked a high for the 2019-20 flu season and a 19 percent increase over the previous week, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

These numbers bring to 5,457 the total hospitalizations since the season began at the end of September, and are more than double the hospitalizations reported during the same week of last year’s flu season.

“One in 12 Americans is likely to get sick from flu this season,” said Ohio Department of Health Medical Director Dr. Mark Hurst. “The next person hospitalized could be you, your child, or another loved one. Protect yourself and everyone around you by getting a flu shot and following other precautions.”

Two Ohio children, girls aged 11 and 16, have died from the flu this season. Adult deaths are not reported to the state.

New attention to flu prevention happened last month after two Miami University students, who visited China during their six-week break between semesters, complained of flu-like symptoms to health services staff.

When the staff learned the students just returned from China, where the coronavirus outbreak was reported in December, they were tested, and those tests were sent to the Ohio Department of Health, then forwarded to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

The students were placed in isolation until the test results from the CDC were negative.

MORE: Here’s what you can do to prevent the flu

The Associated Press reported Friday that the number of child deaths and the hospitalization rate for juveniles are the highest seen at this point in any season nationally since the severe flu outbreak of 2009-10.

Overall, the CDC estimated that 26 million Americans have gotten sick with flu this past fall and winter, with about 250,000 flu-related hospitalizations and around 14,000 deaths.

The virus can be especially dangerous for people who are very young or older, people with compromised or weakened immune systems, people with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women. If you are in one of these categories and develop flu symptoms, Hurst advises, seek medical care right away.

Certain antiviral medications can ease flu symptoms and are especially important for people in high risk groups.

Flu shots are advised for everyone six months and older and the vaccines are available at primary care offices, pharmacies, retail clinics, and some workplaces.

Along with getting vaccinated, good prevention practices include:

• Staying home when you are sick,

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick,

• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing,

• Washing your hands often with soap and water,

• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth after touching objects,

• And disinfecting surfaces, getting plenty of sleep, and managing stress.

Symptoms typically start one to four days following exposure and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue.


Flu hospitalizations

Flu-related hospital stays from Oct. 1 to Feb. 9.

County, Cases

Butler, 134

Warren, 98

Preble, 25

Ohio, 5,457

Source: Ohio Department of Health