TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The percentage of people reporting flulike symptoms at outpatient clinics has declined slightly but is still twice the number of reports normally seen this time of year, said Kansas health officials.
Outpatient clinics usually see about 2 percent of patients with flulike symptoms at this time of year, but clinics reported that 5.6 percent of their patients last week had flulike symptoms, said state epidemiologist Charlie Hunt.
Despite a small decline from the previous two weeks the number is “still more than twice the normal level of flu activity and is unprecedented at this time of year,” Hunt said.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday released its most recent weekly report on the impact of influenza-like illness in Kansas.
With the swine flu virus circulating across the state, flu activity in Kansas remains extremely high, said Mike Heideman, department spokesman.
The health department monitors flu viruses all year, and uses the data to establish a baseline of a “normal” level of flu activity, Heideman said.
Flu Watch
November 18, 2009
State: Flu activity in Kansas is twice as normal
- Flu Watch
-
- <img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/quickread.gif " border=0> Nasal swine flu vaccine recalled over potency Drugmaker Medimmune is recalling nearly 5 million doses of swine flu vaccine because the nasal spray appears to lose strength over time.
- Kansas woman with swine flu dies; toll now 23 A 27-year-old northeast Kansas woman who had swine flu has died, bringing to 23 the number of Kansans who have died after contracting the virus.
-
Missouri “incredibly lucky” in swine flu deaths
The swine flu has killed about 10,000 people around the country, but just 11 in Missouri.
A state official told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in Thursday’s edition that Missouri has been “incredibly lucky.” -
Missouri received 22,000 doses of recalled flu vaccine
Missouri received about 22,000 doses of a vaccine for swine flu that has been recalled.
State health officials say doses of the recalled vaccine were sent to 75 counties across Missouri. -
Vaccine in high supply, but demand dwindles
Demand for the swine flu vaccine was highest when the flu was at its peak and vaccine supplies were limited. Now that the peak of this wave of the H1N1 virus has passed, the vaccine is plentiful and demand is low. But now is not the time to let down one’s guard, experts say.
- One new swine flu death in Oklahoma State health officials are confirming one new death related to swine flu in Oklahoma. The Health Department said Thursday that the death of a Garfield County man last week has been connected to the H1N1 virus.
- Missouri health agency: swine flu vaccine open to all Missouri health officials say the swine flu vaccine now should be available to anyone who wants it. Until now, limited supplies meant that many local health departments restricted access to children, pregnant woman and other high-risk people.
-
Administration pushes swine flu vaccines in ads
Pushing Americans to receive swine flu vaccinations, the Obama administration on Monday released a new slate of television and radio ads to counter an illness that already has infected millions.
The public service announcements target children and their parents, . . . - H1N1 vaccination clinic scheduled in Joplin Access Family Care, in collaboration with the Joplin and Jasper County health departments, will offer the H1N1 flu vaccine from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 530 Maiden Lane in Joplin.
- WHO approves Glaxo’s swine flu shot Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline says one of its swine flu vaccines has been certified by the World Health Organization, making it available for donors to buy for developing countries.
- More Flu Watch Headlines
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
