Flu numbers not slowing down across Missouri
Missourians are still seeing more cases of influenza each week, according to the latest data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
The number of flu cases per week typically peaks by the end of March and then starts to decline, according to officials with the Cole County Health Department. There has been no decline in the number of new cases in recent weeks, according to data..
Between March 10-16 almost 5,000 people caught the flu, where only about 1,800 caught it during the same time period last year.
The delayed decline of cases is nothing alarming, according to the county health officials, and they expect to see fewer new cases in the next few weeks.
The total number of flu cases tells a different story. So far this season over 53,000 people have been diagnosed with the flu. There were almost 128,000 cases by this time last year.
Jefferson City Public Schools has noticed an uptick in influenza cases.
Two elementary schools have reported 50-60 absences daily, many of which are believed to be influenza-related, school officials said.
“The peak of the flu season is here, ” JCPS told parents in a Tuesday message:
Over the past few weeks, JCPS has seen an increase in absences due to influenza diagnosis. While this number indicates a high rate of infection, it also tells us that parents are doing the right thing by keeping their sick child home from school – and we appreciate that! Keeping a sick child at home minimizes the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.
Influenza (known as flu) is a common viral respiratory infection. Influenza is not ‘stomach flu’, a term used by some to describe illnesses causing vomiting or diarrhea. Symptoms of influenza are chills, body aches, fever, and headache. Your child may also have a cough, runny or stuffy nose and sore throat. If your child has been infected, it may take 1 to 4 days for symptoms to start and illness may last up to 7 days.
For more information on influenza, and how to avoid getting sick, click here.
For weekly updates on the flu in Missouri, click here.
