In an email to the county’s medical providers this week, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James delivered good news with a word of caution.

“Influenza activity is at a low level. No hospitalizations have occurred and flu activity is well below routine influenza activity for this time of year. School absenteeism is low.” At the same time he urged everyone who has not been vaccinated against both seasonal and H1N1 flu to do so as soon as possible.

Although we cannot predict if a third wave of H1N1 will occur, vaccinating as many persons as possible will minimize the impact of a recurrent H1N1 outbreak and perhaps provide residual protection into next season.”

Vaccine supplies are now considered adequate. However because supplies were limited through much of the 2009 flu season many people 65 years and older and people 25-64 without chronic medical conditions were not vaccinated.

The work of the county’s health officer and public health nurses is credited with prompting several young people to get treatment that might have otherwise been delayed and resulted in hospitalization or even death. The department also oversaw the distribution of the limited supply of flu vaccine, set priorities and held clinics to ensure that the most vulnerable groups were vaccinated first.

Only one San Juan County resident, a toddler with an existing respiratory problem, has been hospitalized due to H1N1 flu. There have been no reported flu-related deaths in the County since the beginning of the flu season.

Dr. James praised the work of health professionals within the county and the Emergency Management team that oversaw the county’s response to the outbreak. “I believe that the actions of our medical community saved lives,” he said.

Flu season is generally considered to run through the end of March.