Healthcare Providers report surge in flu cases in Missouri

MISSOURI(KBSI) – Healthcare Providers say they are seeing waiting rooms fill up and more patients being seen for flu symptoms in multiple states across the US, but in particular Missouri and Kentucky rank as two of the highest states with citizens testing positive for the flu. 

According to Public Health officials, Missouri now ranks as one of the highest states for high flu activity, and health experts say they believe this is partly due to a decrease in vaccination rates. 

Nathan Koffarnus is an Epidemiologist, with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and according to their data dashboard there have 5 flu related deaths reported in the state of Missouri this year and statewide reports show the number of flu cases have more than doubled.

 “Our most recent data that just got updated yesterday is actually for the week prior to Christmas and during that week, flu cases in the state doubled. So, they went from, about 4500 cases in the state reported to that point, up to over 9000 cases” says Koffarnus.

 Koffarnus shares that vaccination and prevention goes a long way when it comes to respiratory viruses like the flu, he urges those who have not received a flu shot yet this year to go to their nearest pharmacy or health department for vaccination, additionally all flu data can be found by the county you live in through a public dashboard system.

“On our dashboard that we have on our website, that is open to the public, and anyone can go visit it. Actually, so far this year looks remarkably similar to last year, but each flu season is different. So just because, you know, it’s still early” says Koffarnus.

Dashboard link: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/influenza/dashboard.php