Question: I haven’t been hearing much about the flu this winter. Are we having a mild season?
Answer: Influenza in the U.S. overall increased slightly at year’s end, but Hawaii was among 28 states and territories where only sporadic activity was reported, the second-lowest category (after no activity), according to the most recent weekly survey released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report covers the period from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2.
Guam and two states (Maryland and North Carolina) reported widespread activity, the worst level. The rest of the states and territories that participated in the survey cited regional, local or no activity; Puerto Rico submitted no data.
The CDC says the flu activity discussed in the report reflects the influenza viruses’ geographical presence, but does not measure the severity of flu cases.
A related component of the CDC’s regular flu surveillance system measures the percentage of patients seeking health care for flu-related symptoms, an indicator of the severity of the illness.
By those criteria, Hawaii was among 39 states experiencing minimal influenza-like illness (ILI) activity for that time period, which was the lowest (best) ranking. Puerto Rico and two states (New Jersey and South Carolina) experienced high ILI activity. New York City and two states (Maryland and Texas) experienced moderate ILI activity and seven states experienced low ILI activity. There was not enough data from the District of Columbia to calculate an ILI-activity level. Guam was not included in this component of the report.
The most frequently identified influenza virus type reported by public health laboratories was influenza A. “The vast majority of circulating flu viruses analyzed this season remain similar to the vaccine virus components for this season’s flu vaccines. CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older. If you have not gotten vaccinated yet this season, you should get vaccinated now,” the CDC’s summary of the FluView Report states.
Music and book sale
Kokua Line readers regularly ask to be reminded of the Friends of the Library of Hawaii’s annual Music & Book Sale, so here goes: The big event is this holiday weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, at Washington Middle School, 1633 S. King St. in Honolulu. (The ZIP code is 96826 for readers who want to map the location online). Parking is free.
The sale will include more than 25,000 vinyl records and music CDs, sheet music and DVDs and more than 20,000 new or gently used books in a variety of categories, plus comics and manga. The inventory includes a collectible records section. Sections will be restocked daily.
The sale runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday.
The nonprofit Friends of the Library of Hawaii raises money that helps all of Hawaii’s 50 public libraries, funding popular and important literacy programs and services that are not covered in the state budget.
Just a few examples: the summer, spring and fall reading programs, Honolulu Theatre for Youth library tours, grants to advance technology and library services throughout the library, and, of course, grants to buy books and other materials to improve library collections.
You can find out more at the Friends’ website, 808ne.ws/1RFhM8M.
Mahalo
A huge thank you to the unknown person who found my black backpack on the No. 19 bus last month and turned it in to the “lost and found” at the Kalihi Transit Center. I had been so upset to lose it because the backpack contained my reading glasses, library book and my “to-do” list of things that my family and I needed for a happy Christmas. The backpack items were of great value to me. I was so happy to get the backpack and its contents back only two days later. Many thanks to everyone involved, from the friendly bus drivers to the concerned passengers. They all helped and gave me much-needed advice. It warms my heart that so many helped me. — The aloha spirit lives
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
