Southern Nevada’s first flu case occurred during summer

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2000 | 10:53 a.m.

The first case of flu this year has been confirmed in Southern Nevada, but it will still be two weeks before the Clark County Health District will have vaccines available, officials said today.

"That's the latest word," Alice Costello, a public health nurse supervisor, said.

The single confirmed flu case occurred in the summer, Health District epidemiologist Dr. Rose Bell said. The individual probably caught the virus while traveling, she said. No other cases have been confirmed in Clark County since then.

The flu season is not expected to arrive in full force in Southern Nevada until January and February, University Medical Center spokesman Rick Plummer said. It takes a couple of weeks for the vaccine to take effect.

Physicians are sending patients to the Health District because the vaccine's delivery has been delayed nationwide, Costello said. Those 65 years and older, people with weak immune systems or those suffering from chronic heart and respiratory diseases are at the highest risk from the flu and will be given priority for Health District immunizations when they are available, Costello said.

University Medical Center's Quick Care facilities had 4,000 doses of the vaccine, but were out by this morning. Rite Aid pharmacies had scheduled shot clinics but canceled them when the vaccine did not arrive.

As of this morning, Sav-On drug store at Sahara Avenue and Maryland Parkway had shots available. A clinic is scheduled 3-7 p.m. Nov. 17. Call 735-2201 to confirm availability of shots.

Even after the doses arrive, Costello suggested residents wishing to be immunized call the Health District at 385-1291 to make sure shots are available before going over to the center at 625 Shadow Lane.