MU Health doc warns flu activity still rising, peak not reached
Missouri is experiencing a high level of seasonal influenza activity, with 33,681 cases reported so far this season.
Continue ReadingHealth
Fewer cases of flu reported in Missouri than previous week
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) There were fewer cases of influenza reported around Missouri during the week of Dec. 28-Jan. 3 than the previous week, according to information from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The total of 7,582 cases still puts the Show-Me State in the “very high” category, but it is down by
Continue Reading
City of Eldon discusses recent boil order at town hall
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Eldon held a town-hall meeting on Wednesday night at the city’s community center to discuss a recent boil order. The area was under a boil order from the Department of Natural Resources for three weeks until this past Tuesday. City officials on Wednesday night gave a time line on
Continue Reading
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you like the new CDC guidelines for childhood vaccines?
The CDC made a major move this week, rolling back decades of scientific consensus to reduce the number of vaccines meant to be given in childhood. The decision that removed vaccines against diseases such as influenza, some types of meningitis and COVID-19 from those recommended for all kids has drawn the ire of major medical
Continue Reading
Missouri doctor worries new child vaccine recommendations will lead to uncertainty for families
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the number of “universal vaccine recommendations” for children to 11, down from the previous total of 17. One Missouri doctor worries the change may lead to confusion for families. The CDC announced on Monday that it was cutting the number of recommended vaccinations
Continue Reading
Eldon’s boil order is lifted after three weeks
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Eldon announced on Tuesday that the boil order that it has been under for three weeks has been lifted. The city made the announcement in a social media post that the Department of Natural Resources lifted the order after it determined water samples taken on Saturday and Sunday determined
Continue Reading Missouri sees sharp rise in flu cases, ER visits up nearly 6%
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Flu cases are rising sharply across Missouri as the state heads into the heart of the winter illness season, with emergency room visits rising nearly 6% according to the latest report from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. From Dec. 14–20, Missouri recorded 146 new influenza-related hospital admissions. Emergency room
Continue Reading
UnitedHealthcare, SSM Health extend current agreement by 30 days
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Facing a 5 p.m. deadline, UnitedHealthcare and SSM Health reached a last-minute agreement Wednesday to extend their current insurance contract by 30 days. SSM Health had warned that failure to reach an agreement could disrupt care for more than 140,000 patients and lead to higher costs starting Jan, 1. The 30-day
Continue Reading
Planned Parenthood announces closure of Rolla clinic
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Planned Parenthood location in Rolla will close on Thursday, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers announced in a Tuesday press release. Telehealth visits will still be available for those in the area and residents who did visiti the Rolla health center can continue receiving in-person care in Springfield, the release says. The press
Continue Reading Eldon boil order remains intact after water sample tests positive for coliform bacteria
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A two-week boil order in Eldon will continue for at least another day as the city looks for a solution for its water issue. The city issued the order on instructions from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources after a test revealed high levels of E. coli in the system on Dec.
Continue Reading Eldon boil water order enters second week
ELDON, Mo. (KMIZ) Some Eldon residents are frustrated as a boil water order is entering its second week. Monday marked 13 days since people were asked to boil water in the city. The city issued the order on instructions from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources after a test revealed high levels of E. coli
Continue Reading
Missouri awarded $216.3 million from federal rural health care program
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Missouri was awarded $216,276,818 through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, according to a Monday press release from the Missouri Primary Care Association. The award includes a $100 million base allocation, supplemented by additional discretionary funding, the release says. The money will support the state’s Transformation of Rural Community Health Care initiative,
Continue Reading
Health officials urge flu shots as new variant raises spread concerns
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Health officials are expecting a busy flu season following the discovery of H3N2 subclade K, a variant of the Influenza A strain. According to the CDC, of the 91 Influenza A virus samples collected since Sept. 28, almost 87% belonged to subclade K. The genetic mutation of subclade K makes it only
Continue Reading
Negative windchills raises risk of frostbite across Mid Missouri Sunday
The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day for dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills in the negatives between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
This weather can cause symptoms and signs of frostbite to appear in less than 30 minutes. The extra factor of wind can make the process set in even faster.
Continue Reading
Hospital vacancies below pre-pandemic levels in Missouri Hospital Association report
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) According to a Missouri Hospital Association report, Missouri hospitals saw a 4% drop in vacancies in 2024; however, overall turnover has remained steady. 2025_WF_Report (1)Download Based on 2024 data, the report found that the overall turnover rate for Missouri hospitals has been above pre-pandemic levels at 22.2%, compared to 21.5% in 2020.
Continue Reading Flu cases remain low in Mid-Missouri, area physicians see other viral infections in children
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As colder temperatures move into Mid-Missouri, health experts typically expect an increase in seasonal illnesses. But so far, influenza activity across the region remains low. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported “low” influenza activity across the state from the week of Nov 16-22. The weekly total number of cases
Continue Reading
3 naloxone vending machines set up in Sedalia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Sedalia announced in a Tuesday social media post that the Pettis County Health Center has set up three naloxone vending machines for public use. Naloxone – also known by its brand-named version Narcan – is used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. One machine is outside the Pettis
Continue Reading
Aging Best steps up its help during government shutdown
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Military veteran Joseph Gray was approved to receive disability pension, but that — and his Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits — were put on pause once the federal government shut down. Now, he’s struggling to eat a meal every day. “Usually, I eat OK and have never needed any help before, but
Continue Reading
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have you heard of the legal drugs 7-OH or kratom?
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has issued a warning about a psychoactive product many people have probably never heard of. The department says Missourians should stay away from products containing 7-OH — a natural compound derived from the plant kratom that is marketed as a way to deal with stress, pain and
Continue Reading Mid-Missouri hospitals try to cut down on emergency room wait times
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) It’s not uncommon to walk into an emergency department waiting room full of people, so many that some have to sit on the floor. Patients waiting hours in emergency departments is becoming a more familiar story across the nation. Two hours. Three hours. Five hours. Six hours. Twelve hours. This is how
Continue Reading