State: Flu activity in Kansas is twice as normal

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November 18, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Wed Nov 18, 2009, 07:06 AM CST

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.

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State: Flu activity in Kansas is twice as normal

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

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