Roehl_JC
Moderator
By The Capital-Journal
November 16, 2009 - 6:57pm
The latest report from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment shows flu activity in the state is more than twice the normal level.
"Usually at this time of year, about 2 percent of patients seeking care in outpatient clinics around Kansas would be reported as having influenza-like illness," said Charlie Hunt, state epidemiologist with KDHE. "Although we have seen a small decline over the past two weeks, 5.6 percent of these patients were reported as presenting with flu-like symptoms during the past week, which is still more than twice the normal level of flu activity and is unprecedented at this time of year."
KDHE on Monday released its most recent weekly report on the impact of influenza-like illness in Kansas. As the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus continues to circulate in Kansas and throughout the U.S., flu activity in the state of Kansas remains very high, said Mike Heideman, KDHE spokesman.
KDHE performs some monitoring for flu viruses year-round. This allows the department to establish a baseline of what is considered a "normal" level of flu activity, Heideman said.
"During the first week of November across the state, 16 percent of high schools, 15 percent of middle schools and 11 percent of elementary schools reported to their local health departments that they are experiencing absenteeism rates that are 10 percent or higher," Hunt said. "Schools in Kansas normally report a 5 percent absenteeism rate."
KDHE has worked with state education officials to provide guidance to schools on how to reduce the spread of pandemic H1N1 and other flu viruses in those settings, Heideman said.
The symptoms of infection with the pandemic H1N1 virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever of 100 degrees or greater, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who have been ill with pandemic H1N1 influenza have recovered without medical treatment.
However, some people develop serious complications that require hospitalization or may lead to death. Although serious complications are more likely among persons with certain underlying chronic health conditions, this pandemic influenza virus has caused serious complications and deaths among persons without such factors, KDHE said.
Unlike typical seasonal influenza, the 2009 H1N1 virus is causing a greater disease burden among adolescents and young adults. Severe illness from H1N1 virus infection can even occur among relatively young, healthy persons.
KDHE is no longer accepting specimens from everyone who sees a doctor with symptoms. In nonhospitalized cases, confirmatory testing doesn't affect treatment and advice given to patients by health care providers.
http://cjonline.com/news/state/2009-11-16/flu_activity_high_in_kansas
November 16, 2009 - 6:57pm
The latest report from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment shows flu activity in the state is more than twice the normal level.
"Usually at this time of year, about 2 percent of patients seeking care in outpatient clinics around Kansas would be reported as having influenza-like illness," said Charlie Hunt, state epidemiologist with KDHE. "Although we have seen a small decline over the past two weeks, 5.6 percent of these patients were reported as presenting with flu-like symptoms during the past week, which is still more than twice the normal level of flu activity and is unprecedented at this time of year."
KDHE on Monday released its most recent weekly report on the impact of influenza-like illness in Kansas. As the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus continues to circulate in Kansas and throughout the U.S., flu activity in the state of Kansas remains very high, said Mike Heideman, KDHE spokesman.
KDHE performs some monitoring for flu viruses year-round. This allows the department to establish a baseline of what is considered a "normal" level of flu activity, Heideman said.
"During the first week of November across the state, 16 percent of high schools, 15 percent of middle schools and 11 percent of elementary schools reported to their local health departments that they are experiencing absenteeism rates that are 10 percent or higher," Hunt said. "Schools in Kansas normally report a 5 percent absenteeism rate."
KDHE has worked with state education officials to provide guidance to schools on how to reduce the spread of pandemic H1N1 and other flu viruses in those settings, Heideman said.
The symptoms of infection with the pandemic H1N1 virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever of 100 degrees or greater, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. Most people who have been ill with pandemic H1N1 influenza have recovered without medical treatment.
However, some people develop serious complications that require hospitalization or may lead to death. Although serious complications are more likely among persons with certain underlying chronic health conditions, this pandemic influenza virus has caused serious complications and deaths among persons without such factors, KDHE said.
Unlike typical seasonal influenza, the 2009 H1N1 virus is causing a greater disease burden among adolescents and young adults. Severe illness from H1N1 virus infection can even occur among relatively young, healthy persons.
KDHE is no longer accepting specimens from everyone who sees a doctor with symptoms. In nonhospitalized cases, confirmatory testing doesn't affect treatment and advice given to patients by health care providers.
http://cjonline.com/news/state/2009-11-16/flu_activity_high_in_kansas