FLU CASES SKYROCKET West Virginia Flu Cases Highest Total In At Least Five Years
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Jeff Morris
Reported: Jan. 2, 2013 8:44 AM EST
Updated: Jan. 2, 2013 11:12 AM EST
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
State figures show 10,676 confirmed flu cases in West Virginia as of mid-December. That's the highest total for the period in at least five years.
In all of December 2011, there were 6,658 cases. During the same period, there were 6,245 cases in 2010, 8,961 in 2009, 6.271 in 2008 and 7,217 in 2007.
The Centers for Disease Control says West Virginia is among 31 states reporting widespread flu activity.
Brandon Merritt with the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department told the Charleston Daily Mail that the number of confirmed flu cases across the state has increased steadily for five consecutive weeks.
Merritt said most of the cases are influenza A H3, which is included in this year's flu vaccine.
In a news release, Dr. Rahul Gupta, executive director and health officer of the department, said Wednesday that flu outbreaks have been reported at long-term care facilities, schools and daycare centers across the state, including multiple outbreaks in Kanawha County.
Gupta said flu vaccinations are being given daily at the health department from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Associated Press
