Health officials from Surry, Yadkin and Wilkes counties all report an extreme increase in the number of residents being treated for flu symptoms. The state canceled the reporting of numbers of cases of H1N1 cases per county once all 100 counties of North Carolina had at least one confirmed report of H1N1. Counts now are done on the number of hospitalizations.

Hugh Chatham's Chief Nursing Officer, Susan Briscoe, said on Wednesday that there has been a significant increase in the number of residents showing flu-like symptoms in Elkin.

"There are a lot of children who are showing flu symptoms," Briscoe said. "A number of our employee's children are sick. We have restricted visitors to the hospital to no one under the age of 18, unless they are coming to the emergency department for treatment, and we are asking residents if they are experiencing any type of runny nose, fever, and/or cough that they not visit the patients in the hospital.

Our efforts are to protect the patients who are hospitalized with weakened conditions, and to hopefully prevent further spreading of both the seasonal flu and H1N1."

Surry County Health Department reports having no seasonal flu vaccine and are awaiting a shipment not expected to arrive until the first of November.

"H1N1 is alive and prevalent in Surry County," Thomas Williams, media relations specialist for the health center said. "Starting Thursday, the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center began administering the flu mist for the H1N1. The vaccine will be given to anyone 49 years of age and younger. There is a very limited supply. We understand that this is frustrating to the residents, especially when they see our neighboring counties holding mass vaccine clinics, but clinics across the board are being allocated doses for their counties. This shortage is due to the expectation of the availability of the vaccine versus the reality of producing it. The 'brew' of the vaccine is not growing as fast as was anticipated and with only five manufacturers of the vaccine across the United States, it is taking longer to meet the demand."

The Surry County Health and Nutrition Center is located at 118 Hamby Road n Dobson. The flu mist that is available will be given on a first come, first served basis. Residents may call the health center to check availability of the vaccines at 401-9000. The center is open between 8:30 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

"With any confirmation of a flu diagnosis at this point, about 99 percent of the cases are the H1N1 flu," Williams said. "Our main goal is to take care of the public."

Wilkes County's Director of Nursing, Ann Absher reported having no injectable vaccines for either type of flu.

"We still have the H1N1 flu mist and the seasonal flu mist, but in very limited supply," Absher said. "We have a few doses of the injectable seasonal flu vaccine for children from 6 - 36 months. We received 200 doses last Thursday and were out by Monday. We haven't gotten any this week. It's too early for the seasonal flu, so anyone diagnosed with the flu right now more than likely has H1N1."

Anyone wishing to receive either vaccine can call the health department at 651-7450 for availability, and an appointment will be scheduled.

The Yadkin County Health Department (YCHD) and some local physician’s practices have received limited quantities of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. YCHD is currently vaccinating health care workers and emergency medical personnel and plans to hold a general public H1N1 vaccination clinic.

A general public H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. - 4p.m., or while supplies last for children 6 months to 24 years of age and pregnant women. Beginning Monday, Nov. 2, the YCHD will offer the H1N1 vaccine to children enrolled in its child health programs and to pregnant ladies enrolled in its maternity program by appointment only. At this time vaccine supplies are arriving in small shipments, as the YCHD receives additional vaccine future clinics will be scheduled. 336-679-4203.

Flu Prevention

To help people prevent the spread of H1N1, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends keeping surfaces clean by wiping them down with a disinfectant according to the directions on the product label.

In addition to cleaning surfaces, the CDC advises covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue in the trash after use.

If a tissue is unavailable, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.

Wash your hands often with soap and water and if unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because this is how the germs spread.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making them sick.

For more information on how to prevent the spread of H1N1 through surface disinfection, visit www.fluandhealth.com.