LEXINGTON, Ky. — Health officials across the bluegrass state are gearing up for what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling wide-spread reported cases of the flu.
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department reports 141 lab-confirmed cases of the flu as of January 2020. But, they say that's only a fraction of the actual cases that are happening within the city.
“What we're seeing right now is just a lack of people getting the flu shot of the hundred and 41 confirmed cases about 20% actually received the flu shot so people need to get protected, what we are seeing is that the streams that are in Lexington and Central Kentucky are being covered by the flu shot, so it is effective this year. So go out, get the flu shot, whether it's here, or your pharmacy, your medical provider, just get it somewhere,” explains Kevin Hall, spokesperson for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department
LFCHD says the 140 cases of flu are almost 100 more than this time last year.
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness has 886 lab-confirmed flu cases. That's compared to 570 at the same time last year.
The Northern Kentucky Health Department has 518 reported flu cases. That covers cases in Boone, Kenton, Campbell and Grant counties. Workers say that's only slightly higher than most previous seasons at this time.
The Barren River District Health Department has 766 confirmed flu cases, which is a jump from the 134 cases at this time last year. That district covers eight counties around the Bowling Green area.
For more information on the latest flu activity map, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, click here.