The Times West Virginian

Local News

March 14, 2010

Health officials ponder arrival of seasonal flu

Some think H1N1 pandemic ‘pushed out’ other strands

By Mary Wade Burnside Times West Virginian

FAIRMONT — As spring approaches and cases of H1N1 (swine) flu seem to be at bay, some health officials are wondering if the seasonal flu will begin to emerge or if the H1N1 pandemic somehow has kept seasonal flu from breaking out.

“There’s a lot of theories why this happens,” said Bob White, regional epidemiologist who works out of the Monongalia County Health Department. “A lot of people believe that maybe H1N1 pushed out seasonal flu is the best way I can put it.”

However, the fact that few cases of seasonal flu have been reported is not necessarily being considered a silver lining to the H1N1 pandemic that broke out nearly a year ago in April.

“Last year, we saw very few cases of seasonal strains, and then at the beginning of April, it took off,” said Jamie Moore, public health emergency response coordinator for the Marion County Health Department.

 

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