Flu “widespread” in Arkansas, health department says

26,000 cases confirmed since September

An Arkansas Department of Health chart shows the percentage of students absent per county in Arkansas for the week ending March 9.
An Arkansas Department of Health chart shows the percentage of students absent per county in Arkansas for the week ending March 9.

In its weekly Influenza report, the Arkansas Department of Health on Tuesday showed the disease to be “widespread” across The Natural State, with a “high,” or 10 out of 10, rating in activity of influenza like illnesses (ILI). Now in its 10th week of reporting, 26,000 positive flu tests have been identified across the state since September 31, 2018. The statistics have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), according to the state government report.

By March 9, 68 of the 75 Arkansas counties reported flu cases to the state health department. The most abundant were the “A” type strain.

“Among flu antigen tests that can distinguish between influenza A and B virus types, 93 percent were influenza A, and 7 percent were influenza B,” the health report said.

The counties hardest hit by the flu, according the statistics, were Pulaski, Sebastian, Lonoke, White, Washington, Faulkner, Benton, Garland, Clark, Saline, Randolph, Logan, and Lawrence Counties.

But, as shown on Monday by the cancellation of classes all week at Magnolia Public Schools, Columbia County has experienced its own share of flu and flu-like cases.

In his Monday remarks, Superintendent John Ward estimated that some 25 percent of students had called out sick by that afternoon and that 35 teachers were sick as well.

For the state as a whole, the health department, as of Tuesday, reports that 23 public schools have closed “briefly due to the flu.” The average school absentee-rate last week as also 6.9 percent among all state public schools.

In Magnolia, It was stated Monday that 35 teachers were out sick, while some 25 percent of the student population was absent by that afternoon. Reports have also surfaced that an increase in flu and flu-like symptoms were fervently spread and contracted after so many local students, teachers, and family members attended the state basketball tournament finals over the weekend in Hot Springs.

Although deaths from the flu are rare, and concentrate primarily in the 45-64 (23 deaths) and 65-plus (38 deaths) age groups, dozens around the state have been killed by the disease.

“To date, 63 influenza-related deaths have been reported in Arkansas this flu season, including one pediatric death; 70 percent were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccine history,” the ADH report stated. “CDC has reported a total of 64 pediatric deaths nationwide this season.”

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