Boone and Cole counties see rise in flu cases in 2020
The number of confirmed cases of the flu are up this year compared to last across Mid-Missouri, according to local health agencies.
There is no exact start or finish to the flu season, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites October as the start of the increase in flu cases and identifies May as the month when activity begins to decrease.
From October 2019 to January 2020, Cole and Boone Counties together have seen more than 1,400 confirmed cases of Influenza A and B.
According to Boone County Health and Human Services, Boone County has seen 245 cases of Influenza A and 489 cases of Influenza B through Jan. 25.
"So far, flu activity is elevated compared to last year," said Lucio Bitoy, the Boone County Health and Human Services spokesperson. "Last year's flu period peaked between February and March."
According to the Cole County Health Department, through Jan. 25, Cole County has seen a confirmed 270 cases of Influenza A and 504 cases of Influenza B totaling 774 confirmed cases of the flu.
These numbers are way up compared to last year in Cole County, which saw 71 cases of Influenza A and 57 cases of Influenza B with one case of an unknown type of the flu, totaling 129 confirmed cases.
According to the CDC, over 50% of flu positive test results this season are in children or young adults under 25.
Although Boone County reported an increase in confirmed cases, Columbia Public Schools spokesperson Michelle Baumstark says flu numbers seem normal around the school district.
"We don't have anything significant or abnormal right now," Baumstark said. "We had a small spike in reported fevers in early December, but we're average for absences now. "
Baumstark said all CPS students and employees are able to receive free flu shots prior to the start of the flu season each year which this helps significantly with a reduction of incidents of the flu.
More information on how to prevent the influenza virus can be viewed at the Centers for Disease and Control’s website.
