County reports increased flu-related emergency department visits and hospitalization

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Positive influenza tests have risen sharply across Clark County in recent weeks resulting in increased emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to illness. The Clark County Department of Public Health is encouraging residents to receive influenza vaccination to reduce the likelihood of severe illness.

“While influenza activity is already high, it’s not too late to get your flu vaccine,” Clark County health officer and Public Health director Dr. Alan Melnick said in a Clark County news release. “The flu season can last months. Getting vaccinated now will provide protection throughout the rest of the flu season.”

Flu vaccination is widely available at medical offices and pharmacies in Clark County. An annual vaccination is recommended for anyone 6 months or older. In Clark County, the vaccination rate for influenza is only 24%, the news release stated.

The last week of December showed that 36% of influenza tests in Clark County were positive, up from 8% one month earlier, the release stated.



Emergency visits and hospitalization due to influenza have also increased significantly during the last month. Between Dec. 22 through Dec. 28, more than 7% of visits to Clark County emergency departments and 5.5% of county hospitalizations were due to influenza, the news release stated.

Other respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also circulating in Clark County but at lower levels than influenza. Between Dec. 22 and Dec. 28, about 1% of Clark County hospitalizations and less than 1% of emergency department visits were due to COVID-10 and RSV, the release stated.

For the latest updates on respiratory illness within Clark County and how to avoid illness, visit shorturl.at/hzihX.