Flu comes to Kansas
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Originally published 02:17 p.m., February 19, 2008
Updated 02:17 p.m., February 19, 2008
WICHITA — Though it arrived fairly late this year, influenza appears to be quickly spreading across the state, causing an increase in sick days for businesses and in some cases, filling up hospital beds.
Five of Kansas’ six regions are reporting widespread flu-like illnesses, said Joe Blubaugh, spokesman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Only southeast Kansas has been spared so far, he said.
The usual peak for flu is in early to mid-January, though some years it has peaked in December.
“It’s starting to pick up,” said Lois Rahal, an infection control nurse at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. “People from the emergency room are needing to be admitted.”
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