6 new flu cases in Kan.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Six new cases of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus have been confirmed in Johnson, Ottawa and Wyandotte Counties according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The two news cases in Johnson County involve one child and one adult. One new case involves a child in Ottawa County. The three new cases in Wyandotte County all involve children. Today’s announcement brings the Kansas totals to 18 confirmed cases, including two cases in Dickinson County and one in Sedgwick County.
The Dickinson and Sedgwick cases all involved people who had traveled to an area out of state where the virus was known to be. KDHE has not provided information about how the newer Johnson and Wyandotte cases were contracted.
According to Jason Eberhart-Phillips, Kansas State Health Officer and director of health for KDHE, health-care workers in those two counties have been told to send samples to the state lab only if the patient is hospitalized.
“Based on the number of cases identified in these two counties, it is clear that the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus is circulating there,” he said. “So additional laboratory testing is not required under most circumstances. If we believe there are clusters of cases in schools or other institutional settings, laboratory testing may be recommended.”
KDHE has established a phone number for concerned Kansans to call with questions about the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus. The toll-free number is 1-877-427-7317. Operators will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Persons calling will be directed to press “1” on their touch-tone phone to be directed to an operator who can answer questions.
Kansans with questions about the virus can email H1N1fluinfo@kdheks.gov. Information is also available from KDHE at www.kdheks.gov.