Flu levels in Pratt area remain near normal

Pratt area residents seem to be more resistant to influenza-like illness than the state as a whole, where flu activity remains very high.
“Usually at this time of year, about 2 percent of patients seeking care at outpatient clinics around Kansas would be reported as having influenza-like illness,” said Charlie Hunt, state epidemiologist with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “Although we have seen a small decline over the past two weeks, 5.6 percent of these patients were reported as presenting with flu-like symptoms during the past week, which is still more than twice the normal level of flu activity and is unprecedented at this time of year.”
It’s more business — or illness — as usual in Pratt.
“We have had a few hospitalizations, but we’re not seeing the patient volume as in larger hospitals,” Cecile Pearce, infection control coordinator at Pratt Regional Medical Center, said. She said some employees are calling in sick, or with sick children, but “not a surge.”
Nurses at both public schools reported a fairly normal absentee rate.
During one week, absenteeism at one Pratt building was nearly 10 percent, but in general, it is staying well below that figure, Glenda Houdyshell, USD 382 nurse, said. In the grade schools, about 6 children are absent each day, which is about normal.
Nurses in both districts report absenteeism weekly to the Pratt Health Department. Mary Ohl, a registered nurse with the department said, “it (flu) is out there,” but they are not receiving reports of unusual numbers in Pratt County.
The health department is holding a clinic at its office at 712 S. Main today, giving free H1N1 shots to anyone aged 6 months to 24 years and to people 25-64 with a medical diagnosis. The clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as long as vaccine is available.
Shipments are received on a weekly basis and the department is following Centers for Disease Control and KDHE guidelines for target areas. Service will be expanded to all population groups in coming weeks as more supply becomes available, according to written material provided by the health department.
Only H1N1 vaccine will be given on Thursday.
Seasonal flu vaccine, available only as a nasal mist, is reserved for healthy people aged 2 to 49. Anyone wanting that vaccine should wait until another day.