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For Immediate Release: 1/11/08

State Health Department Reports Season's First Confirmed Flu Case

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) today announced the first laboratory, viral culture–confirmed influenza case of the 2007–08 winter season, according to Jane Drummond, director of the state health department. On December 31, 2007, one case of influenza was confirmed by Missouri's State Public Health Laboratory. The case of influenza A was reported from southwest Missouri.

"We want to remind Missourians, especially those who are considered high risk for influenza complications, and those who have close contact with people at high risk, that it is not too late to get their flu shots," said Drummond. "People should consult their health care providers or their local public health agency to locate influenza vaccine."

Manufacturers have supplied more than 140 million doses of flu vaccine in the United States this season, more vaccine supplied than in any other season.

Persons who should be especially concerned about being vaccinated are:

• All children aged 6 months to five years old,
• Adults aged 50 years of age or older,
• Person aged 5–49 years with underlying chronic medical conditions,
• All women who will be pregnant during influenza season,
• Residents of nursing homes and long–term care facilities,
• Children 6 months–18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy,
• All health care workers,
• Out–of–home caregivers and household contacts of children less than six months old, and
• Any persons who would like to reduce their risk of contracting influenza.

Drummond added that people over age 65 and those with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes should discuss obtaining pneumonia vaccine with their physicians. The vaccine is effective in preventing many types of pneumonia, the major complication from influenza.

People can also protect themselves from the flu and other communicable diseases by practicing healthy habits such as regular hand washing, eating well, and getting enough sleep and exercise.

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