FLU SEASON EARLY THIS YEAR; TWO CASES CONFIRMED IN L.A. COUNTY.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Staff Writer

Flu season kicked off unusually early this year with at least two cases already confirmed in Los Angeles County, including one in Woodland Hills, officials said Wednesday.

Experts said the early cases do not necessarily herald a bad flu season. Typically, the first cases in the county are observed in mid-November and hit full force in December through March.

``These are very, very difficult things to predict,'' said county public health director Jonathan Fielding.

Also unknown is whether the vaccine will protect against the strain of influenza A that struck a 40-year-old Carson woman, the first case in the county. Tests have not been completed.

This year's vaccine protects against the three strains of flu that experts believe are most likely to strike: Type A/Beijing, Type A/Sydney and Type B/Beijing. They are the same strains in last year's vaccine, but a new vaccination is needed every year because the effects wear off in a few months and the virus can mutate, Fielding said.

``I think it's really important that people not rely on what's happened in the past,'' Fielding said. ``You don't want to play roulette with your health, when we have good effective prevention.''

A second case was diagnosed at Kaiser Permanente's Woodland Hills Medical Center about a week after the other one, according to Dr. Arleen Rockoff, the hospital's chief of internal medicine and infectious disease.

``We had a very light season last year. We almost feel like we're due for a heavy one this year,'' Rockoff said.

Statewide, only a few influenza cases have been confirmed by the state lab this season, although most of them go unreported, according to Dr. Carol Glaser, a medical officer in the state Department of Health Services viral lab.

Common symptoms of the flu are similar to cold symptoms, except more severe - with fever, headaches and muscle aches. Those who are elderly or ill are particularly vulnerable to its effects.

It can be fatal, with an estimated 20,000 deaths a year across the United States.

For information on where to get free shots, call the county Department of Health Services at [phone].

FREE INFLUENZA VACCINES

With flu season starting, free vaccine clinics are available for people 60 and older, pregnant women and the chronically ill. They are scheduled

for:

Thursday: 1 to 3 p.m., Senior Friends, 7325 Medical Center Drive, West Hills.

Friday: 9 to 11 a.m., Canoga Park Senior Center, 7326 Jordan Ave., Canoga Park.

Monday: 9 to 11 a.m., Valley Storefront, 12821 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood.

Wednesday: 9 to noon, Valencia Health Center, 23763 Valencia Blvd., Valencia.

Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross-Van Nuys Service Center, 14717 Sherman Way, Van Nuys.

Nov. 4: 9 to 11 a.m., Sunland Senior Center, 8640 Fenwick St., Sunland.

Nov. 9, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Northeast Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, 11300 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima.

Nov. 9: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., West Valley Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills.

Nov. 10: 9 a.m. to noon, Valencia Health Center, 23763 Valencia Blvd., Valencia.

Nov. 16: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., American Red Cross-Van Nuys Service Center, 14717 Sherman Way, Van Nuys.

Nov. 17: 9 a.m. to noon, Valencia Health Center, 23763 Valencia Blvd., Valencia.

Nov. 30: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., American Red Cross-Van Nuys Service Center, 14717 Sherman Way, Van Nuys.

Dec. 8: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross-Van Nuys Service Center, 14717 Sherman Way, Van Nuys.

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Box: Free influenza vaccines (see text)