SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2017
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County Health officials confirm seven flu-related deaths
Lane County Public Health
officials recently confirmed 11
outbreaks of influenza-like-ill-
ness have been reported within
the last 30 days in Lane
County, six of which have been
within the last week.
In this same time span in
Lane County, seven people
have died due to influenza-like
illness — four in the last week.
“I think it is clear from the
number and rate of outbreaks
that our vaccination rates here
in Lane County are far too
low,” said Dr. Patrick Luedtke,
Lane County Chief Health
Officer. “It’s certainly not too
late to receive your flu vaccina-
tion and while we will always
have reports of individuals con-
tracting influenza after receiv-
ing the vaccination, at a popu-
lation level it is evident that
widespread vaccination can
and will prevent outbreak sce-
narios like what we’re seeing
now.”
While it is difficult to accu-
rately compare the current flu
season with previous years
until after the season has ended,
both the number of reported
outbreaks and deaths are on
track to be at their highest since
2012.
Additionally, this season is
unique in that there seems to be
a bi-modal distribution in
cases, with an initial peak hap-
pening in early December and a
likely second peak in mid to
late January.
Influenza, or the flu, is a
contagious respiratory illness
that is caused by a virus. It is
spread by droplets made when
people cough, sneeze or talk.
It is also possible to transmit
flu by touching a surface or
object that has the flu virus on
it, and then touching their own
mouth, nose or eyes. The aver-
age incubation period for flu is
two days but can range
between 1 to 4 days.
Those with flu can infect
others beginning 1 day before
symptoms develop to 5 to 7
days after becoming sick.
Symptoms include a fever
(100 ºF or higher), cough, sore
throat, runny or stuffy nose,
body aches, feeling very tired,
vomiting or diarrhea.
Not everyone that has flu has
all of these symptoms.
In addition to yearly flu vac-
cination in adults, health offi-
cials are urging the highest risk
groups (e.g., persons aged 65
years or older, children, preg-
nant women, persons with car-
dio-pulmonary disease and the
immunocompromised) to prior-
itize vaccination.
Some, particularly the elder-
ly population, may also benefit
from the use of the newly avail-
able high dose or adjuvant vac-
cine.
Finally, it is important for all
individuals to practice proper
respiratory hygiene by cover-
ing their cough or sneeze;
washing hands frequently or
using hand sanitizer; disposing
of tissues used for coughing or
sneezing in a receptacle that is
out of reach to children; avoid-
ing touching the eyes, nose and
mouth; and by staying home up
to 24 hours after a fever has
resolved.
Individuals can receive the
flu vaccine at participating
pharmacies or from their health
care provider.
For more information on
influenza, visit the Lane
County Public Health website
at www.lanecounty.org/govern
ment/county_departments/
health_and_human_services/
public_health.
Williams featured artist at OPB this month
Oregon Pacific Bank is fea-
turing the watercolor paintings
of local artist Patricia Williams
in its lobby during the month
of January.
Williams is an award-win-
ning artist with a degree in fine
art. She has taken many work-
shops from artists in California
and Canada, and has taught
beginning watercolor in Fair
Oaks, Calif.
Her work has been pub-
lished locally and worldwide,
purchased by California gov-
ernments and private collec-
tions.
Her work has been accepted
in the California State Fine Art
Exhibit and KVIE Art
Auctions. She has been in
shows that have shown in the
Haggin Art Museum and the
California State Capitol.
In addition to her exhibit at
OPB, come view her artwork
at Florence Regional Arts
Alliance (FRAA) Art Center
on Maple Street in Old Town,
where she is a member.
Artwork is also available
online at www.patriciawilliams
art.com.
For more information, email
her at artjewelrybypatti@gmail
.com.
Do your part and
volunteer today
to help support
these local
non-proft
organizations in
our community!
Volunteer•Get involved•Donate
Florence Food Share
Ask us about volunteer opportunities.
2190 Spruce Street • P.O.Box 2514
Florence, Oregon 97439
(541) 997-9110
info@fl orencefoodshare.org
Food Backpack for Kids
Together, No Child Will Go Hungry
Your tax deductible donations helped
us feed 79 Florence/ Mapleton area children in December.
Mail donations to: PO Box 3347 Florence, OR 97439.
Call 541-997-2497 for more information.
Watercolor by Patricia Williams at Oregon Pacific Bank.
Humane society to offer
pet photos for Valentines Day
On Saturday, Jan. 21, from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., th communi-
ty is invited to bring pets to the
Florence Events Center to
have them photographed in a
special Valentine’s Day Booth.
Photographs cost $5 and the
proceeds go to the Oregon
Coast Humane Society.
The only request is that ani-
mals be held, or kept on a
leash.
The Friends of the FEC are
celebrating animals during the
months of January and
February in Gallery One with
the themed exhibit “For the
Love of Animals.”
Paintings,
photography,
mixed media and 3-D art are
interspersed throughout the
gallery with photos of animals
that are up for adoption at the
local animal shelter.
There will be raffle tickets
sold during the Jan. 21 recep-
tion, with the winning ticket
being drawn at 2 p.m. (need
not be present to win).
A framed oil painting of
your pet by talented local artist
Ron Hildenbrand will be the
raffle prize.
There will be refreshments
for people and their pets, and
admission is free. All that is
asked is that guests bring a
donation of dog or cat food to
place in a special collection
container.
All animal lovers are
encouraged to attend this
event, whether a pet owner or
not.
For more information, call
541-997-4277.
Meals on Wheels and Cafe 60
Meals on Wheels are available to people over the age of 60
who cannot get out much due to illness or advanced age and
who are not eating properly, regardless of income. Cafe 60 is
available for those who prefer to make new friends in a dining
room setting.
1570 Kingwood
PO Box 2313, Florence
541-997-5673
laneseniormeals.org
Peace Harbor Volunteers
Join the Peace Harbor Hospital Volunteers, you will fi nd an area
of interest in a caring organization.
400 9th Street, Florence
541-997-8412 ext. 209
Us Too Florence
Saving men one PSA test at a time. “Someone to talk to...who
understands!”
541-997-6626
maribob@oregonfast.net
See Jim for your auto sales needs!
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
Brought to you by this newspaper in partnership with
PUBLIC NOTICES
Always in your newspaper:
Now in your inbox, too.
www.ustoofl orence.org
To include your
organization in this
directory, please call us @
541-997-3441
Siuslaw
News
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