The flu season has been active in Colorado as several people have infected with the influenza virus. There have been more people affected by the flu this year than in previous years and Colorado Mesa University has not been safe from the trend.
The flu season this year, starting on Oct. 1, 2017, and ending on May 26, 2018, has seen record levels for any season. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division (DCEED), there have been 3,350 hospitalizations this season, the highest in a single season that Colorado has experienced.
At CMU this trend has been mirrored. When compared to last year’s number, there has been a definite increase in the number of cases of influenza brought to the Student Health Center.
“There has been about a 25 percent increase from last year,” Dana Nunn, director of media relations, said. “This year there have been 105 confirmed cases, up from last year’s 84.”
Paired with this spike of the flu virus, there have also been some other illnesses going around the school, most notably strep. However, the number of students with strep this year doesn’t show any significant increase in the disease on campus.
“Strep has shown a normal trend when compared to last year,” Nunn said.
This leaves the influenza virus as the primary concern for students. It has also had, according to the CDPHE DCEED, a record number of outbreaks associated with influenza clocking in at 155 so far this season. Mortality due to influenza and pneumonia has gone above the epidemic threshold for the state: increasing from 7.8 percent to 10 percent which is also two-tenths of a percent above the national average.
Influenza this season has been taking Colorado by storm and CMU is within Colorado borders, despite how much it might seem like it’s in Utah. As a result, the campus is at risk to continue to add to the numbers that the state has seen this flu season. Precautions must be made to keep everyone healthy.
Washing hands with soap and water are recommended to prevent the spread of the flu. Covering one’s mouth when coughing and sneezing can also spur the spread. Recognizing when one is sick and seeking proper treatment, avoiding direct contact with others that aren’t infected and keeping from touching one’s face are also ways to keep the spread down.
The CDPHE DCEED also says that getting the influenza vaccine is the primary way to limit the spread of influenza and they recommend that everyone six or older that do not have any contraindications receive annual flu shots.
Anyone can go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and learn about how to further protect themselves and their families from the flu. The Student Health Center, right next to the Orchard Apartments, also offers ways to prevent and combat the illness. Further information is available on the Colorado State Department’s website.
