Marion County health officer urges vaccination as H1N1 predominates in Oregon

Marion County Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 15 that Oregon is experiencing a high level of influenza activity and that H1N1 is the predominant circulating strain this season. She said the current seasonal vaccine includes H1N1 and called vaccination "the best way to prevent the spread of influenza."

Dr. Landers described other precautions that reduce transmission: frequent hand-washing, staying home when ill, and covering coughs and sneezes. She told commissioners that most people are contagious a few days before symptoms appear and generally remain contagious for three to four days after symptom onset; viral particles can survive on surfaces for a day or longer. She said alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective against many viruses but not against norovirus, for which bleach is recommended.

In response to questions, Dr. Landers said people should seek medical attention if they cannot maintain hydration, have difficulty breathing, or are unable to stand without falling; a fever that returns during recovery could signal pneumonia. Addressing pediatric dosing, she said children 6 months through age 9 who have not previously received influenza vaccine are recommended to receive two doses spaced about a month apart—one to prime the immune system and a second to raise immunity to protective levels.

Dr. Landers directed residents to flu.oregon.gov to find clinics and advised that vaccination is still useful because influenza activity had not yet peaked.