Nebraska Was First In Flu Outbreak, 2 Deaths

FALLS CITY – Nebraska was the first of six adjacent states to reach widespread influenza activity this winter.

A 9-year-old Kansas girl died from the flu on Dec. 22 while visiting family in Lincoln and Douglas County reports the death of a person over the age of 65.

The flu report ending last week indicated 446 hospitalizations due to flu and 20 Nebraska schools with greater than 11 percent absences.

The percentage of emergency room visits due to influenza like illness was at nearly 7 percent.

Nebraska entered a “local activity” designation for flu on Nov. 16 and spread to “regional activity” a week later.

 

 

On Dec. 7, widespread illness was reported in Nebraska, while five adjacent states remained in local activity.

By Dec. 21, Iowa and Colorado joined the widespread ranks, while South Dakota, Kansas and Missouri remain in regional.

Community Medical Center in Falls City is imposing visitor restrictions to combat the flu season.

The hospital says no children under the age of 12 should be in the hospital unless for care and says there are only one or two visitors per patient.

Visitors with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, cough and others should not visit.