Influenza sickness remains prevalent across the Commonwealth. Officials with the State Department for Public Health report flu activity in Kentucky is widespread for the tenth consecutive week.
Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Jeff Howard says that is not that unusual. “Ten weeks of widespread activity would be expected to extend into the next coming month or so. We usually see flu cases start declining after March into April and then declining until the end of the season which typically ends in May,” Howard said.
At this point, there have been 44 flu-related deaths for this season, compared with 333 last year. Dr. Howard says the type A strain created one of the worst flu seasons on record last year. “The vaccine wasn’t very effective against that particular strain last year. However the vaccine is more effective against that strain this year, which I think explains why we’re seeing less deaths and less overall flu activity comparatively,” says Howard.
Howard says it’s not too late to get the flu shot. He says that’s especially important for high risk individuals, caregivers of the elderly, and very young children.
