The New Year has arrived, students are returning from holiday break and flu activity is peaking in Pueblo County.
The flu hospitalized 99 individuals in Pueblo County between Oct. 1, 2023, and Dec. 30, 2023. While information from the start of 2024 has not yet been reported, January is typically when Pueblo sees its biggest flu spike, according to the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment.
Numerous factors may lead to flu hospitalizations. Those especially at risk of hospitalization include individuals with underlying health conditions, infants and the elderly, said Alex Tapia, communicable disease specialist at CDPHE.
"We encourage the flu shot as well," she said. "If they don't have a little bit of that extra immunity from the flu shot, that can have an impact."
Colorado is one of 21 states with "very high" influenza-like illness activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been 1,347 flu hospitalizations and 19 outbreaks at long-term care or correctional facilities statewide since Oct. 1. No pediatric flu deaths have been reported in Colorado.
How to stay safe in Pueblo this flu season
The statewide surveillance of the flu in Colorado lasts until May 18. Along with getting vaccinated against the flu, individuals can avoid illness this flu season by regularly washing their hands, disinfecting high-touch services and wearing a mask in public when comfortable doing so.
Those with underlying health conditions should avoid large gatherings when possible, Tapia said. She also encourages all individuals to take care of their overall health and stay home when sick, even if only experiencing minor symptoms.
"Without diagnostic testing, it's best just to stay home before you take it to others who may become more severely ill," Tapia said.
RSV, COVID-19 among other viruses circulating through Pueblo
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), like the flu, is transmitted through respiratory droplets. However, the two illnesses differ in the symptoms people experience after contracting them. Congestion, difficulty breathing, and impact on the lungs are among the symptoms one can expect from RSV.
"The flu is going to sort of attack the whole body and cause more symptoms of body aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea," Tapia said.
Those at risk for serious RSV infection include children under 5 and adults over 65 years of age. Forty-seven hospitalizations from RSV were reported in Pueblo County between Oct. 1 and Dec. 30.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has reported 1,321 RSV hospitalizations, 75 outbreaks at schools and child care centers, and no pediatric deaths.
While it's been almost four years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus continues to move through Pueblo County. A total of 57 individuals died of COVID-19 in Pueblo County last year. There were 55 COVID-19 hospitalizations in December 2023.
As of Jan. 8, 11 individuals had been hospitalized due to COVID-19 in 2024, according to CDPHE.
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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at [email protected]. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
