TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Outbreaks of seasonal and swine flu continue to be widespread across Kansas even as the first shipments of swine flu vaccine arrive in the state, health officials said Monday.
The Department of Health and Environment reported in its latest review that there were 30 deaths from pneumonia or influenza out of the state’s 456 deaths during the week ending Oct. 10, or about 6.6 percent.
Deaths have recently averaged about three per week. The state reported 92 deaths related to pneumonia or influenza — all but nine among those aged 65 and older — from Sept. 26 through Oct. 10. None of the deaths were among people under age 18, but about 53 percent of those sickened by swine flu were between ages 5 and 24.
Eight deaths in Kansas have been linked directly to the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu. The latest case was a 48-year-old woman from southwest Kansas who died Thursday. Health officials said she had an underlying health condition. Other details weren’t released.
“This death shows how important it is for all of us to do what we can to protect ourselves and our families against H1N1 flu and to reduce the risk of spreading this virus,” state health director Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips said in a statement.
Overall, 75 of the 105 Kansas counties have confirmed swine flu cases, and the health department report said “clear and consistent” flu patterns were emerging.
