KDHE Reports First Confirmed Flu Case in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today confirmed the state’s first influenza case this year. A child in south central Kansas was hospitalized last week and tests received yesterday at the KDHE laboratory in Topeka confirmed the illness as Influenza A H3N2. This year’s flu vaccine provides protection against this type of influenza. There are no reports of flu deaths to date this year in Kansas. (The child has recovered and has been released from the hospital).

KDHE’s Division of Health and Environmental Laboratories tests viral specimens to identify specific strains, and notes any changes in the strains from the initial outbreak continuing throughout the influenza season.

Tracking Influenza in Kansas:

Influenza is not a reportable disease in Kansas; therefore, KDHE does not receive information on all cases of flu. It is possible there have been earlier cases in the state. To track influenza, KDHE has agreements with several health care providers in each region of the state (called sentinel sites), and receives specimens to test from each of these sites throughout the season. In addition, these providers report information regarding flu-like activity in patients coming to their medical practices.

Regional Influenza Activity:

Kansas is now reporting regional influenza activity to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) based on recent increased reports of influenza-like illness from sentinel sites and lab confirmation of isolates (samples taken by health care providers that show preliminary positive results) from the south central and northeast regions of the state.

"It's still not too late to get a flu shot this year," said Dr. Howard Rodenberg, KDHE Division of Health Director. “In Kansas, we typically see an increase in cases in January and that can continue into February and March.”

Rodenberg noted the flu vaccine is about 80 percent effective in preventing illness from influenza virus. This means that it is possible to get influenza after having the vaccine, however, when illness occurs symptoms are usually less severe and complications less frequent.

"The flu shot cannot cause the flu," said Dr. Gail Hansen, KDHE State Epidemiologist. "And since the vaccine wears off, yearly vaccinations are recommended, especially for those at high risk of complications. "

The following individuals are considered high-risk:

• People 65 years of age and older
• Children ages 6 months to 23 months
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders including heart disease or asthma
• Pregnant women
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney diseases, blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia), or weakened immune systems, including persons with HIV/AIDS
• Children and teenagers, 6 months to 18 years of age, who take aspirin daily
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
• Household members and out-of-home caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months (Children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated).
• Healthcare workers who provide direct, hands-on patient care with regular frequency to the priority group patients listed above

Other vaccination recommendations:

Healthy persons who are 5-49 and not pregnant, including healthcare workers (except those who care for severely immuno-compromised patients in special care units) and persons caring for children under 6 months should be encouraged to be vaccinated with intranasally administered live, attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist).

“A critical component to help you prevent getting the flu or spreading the flu is handwashing,” said Dr. Gail Hansen, State Epidemiologist. “We shouldn’t overlook the value of this activity in preventing the spread of influenza. And we must take time to do it right. That means rubbing your hands together for 20 seconds under warm water with soap.”

Steps the public can take to avoid catching or spreading the flu:

• Proper and frequent hand washing with soap and warm water.
• Stay home from school or work when sick.
• Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Stay healthy: eat healthy foods, stay active, avoid tobacco products and get plenty of rest.

Back to KDHE News Release Index