Director’s Message on the Flu

As we are all aware, flu season is upon us. In a typical year, approximately 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the seasonal flu and approximately 36,000 flu-related deaths are reported. This year, we are faced with not only the seasonal flu, but also the novel H1N1 flu virus. This additional virus may cause a more dangerous flu season with more people getting sick, being hospitalized and dying than during a regular flu season. Like seasonal flu, illness in people with H1N1 can vary from mild to severe.