Top doc: H1N1 threat not over

Posted at: 10/30/2009 6:28 PM
By: Stuart Dyson, Eyewitness News 4; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

Doctors advise caretakers of young children to get the flu vaccine

Despite a decline in patients, the H1N1 flu outbreak is not likely finished, according to the state's top epidemiologist.

The state health department reported a substantial reduction in the human tidal wave of flu sufferers seeking treatment. The rate of flu-like illness has dropped from more than 18 percent of all patients to a little under 11 percent in just a week.

But Dr. Mack Sewell said the worst of flu season may still be ahead.

"I think it's good news that we're seeing a lull. But what we've seen in past pandemic influenza situations is we may have a peak followed by a lull and then a peak later on," Sewell said.

Public health doctors worry that people may be lulled into blowing off plans to get the H1N1 vaccine. They say that could turn what's been a relatively mild pandemic into more of a killer.

"No one should think that this has gone away. This may be with us for awhile and there's the possibility that this may become the seasonal strain to replace the ones we've had in the past. We don't know that yet," Sewell said.

Dr. Sewell said the trickle down of H1N1 vaccine is starting to flow faster. More doses will be going out to hospitals and clinics statewide in the days ahead. If you want one, especially if you're high-risk, call your doctor.

So far, H1N1 has claimed the lives of 21 New Mexicans.

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