Flu cases are rising earlier and faster than usual in El Paso County, as officials warn families to prepare for overlapping respiratory illnesses and a potentially severe season.
Flu is arriving earlier than expected in El Paso County, Colorado, and public health officials say it is not the only respiratory illness circulating. According to El Paso County Public Health, influenza, pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, and COVID-19 are all spreading as the respiratory season gets under way.
Haley Zachary, the county’s communicable disease division manager, told KKTV that flu cases are climbing sooner and in greater numbers than officials usually see at this point in the year. She said the county typically does not see that level of activity until December or January. The respiratory season in the region generally runs from October through May, leaving families in Colorado Springs, Fountain, Monument and nearby communities facing months in which several contagious illnesses may overlap.
That mix can make it harder to tell what is causing a cough, fever or general fatigue. Flu often begins abruptly with fever, aches and exhaustion. Whooping cough can start out like a routine cold before developing into prolonged coughing fits, while COVID-19 can mimic either illness. The overlap can mean more testing, more visits to paediatricians and urgent care clinics, and more school and work absences.
The warning comes after Colorado confirmed the first paediatric flu death of the season. State health officials said an elementary school-aged child from outside the Denver metro area died and had no record of receiving this season’s flu vaccine. Colorado’s public health department released no further details about the child, but the death has added urgency to local calls for vaccination and prevention.
Statewide data suggest the season is off to a faster-than-usual start. Denver7 reported, citing state figures, that Colorado had 46 flu hospitalisations in early October, up from eight at the beginning of September. Last season, the state recorded 5,931 flu-related hospitalisations, the highest total since Colorado began tracking the figure in 2004, with 1,169 involving children and eight child deaths. Nationally, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in its latest FluView report that flu activity is increasing in many parts of the country, though it remains low overall. The CDC said early-season flu activity is higher than usual, but still within expected seasonal variation, and noted that most viruses typed so far are influenza A(H1N1). The agency also said 70 of 74 H1N1 viruses analysed were well recognised by antibodies against the vaccine reference strain, an encouraging early sign.
Health officials say the people most at risk include children under 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Rachel Herlihy, Colorado’s state epidemiologist and deputy chief medical officer, called last season’s record hospitalisations a sobering reminder of how serious flu can be, particularly for young children. El Paso County Public Health advises people to wash their hands, cover coughs, dispose of tissues properly and stay home when ill. Officials also urge families to seek medical care if a fever will not come down, hydration becomes difficult or breathing problems develop. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are available through county health services, doctors’ offices and pharmacies, and state officials recommend flu shots for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by the end of October, because it takes about two weeks for full protection to build.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
