Widespread flu activity reported for 10th consecutive week in Kentucky

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- The Kentucky Department for Public Health reports flu activity in Kentucky is at “widespread” for the 10th consecutive week.

Widespread is the highest level of flu activity, indicating increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the state’s regions.

Kentucky is currently reporting 44 flu-related deaths for the 2018-19 flu season. For the 2017-18 flu season, Kentucky reported a total of 333 flu-related deaths.

The flu season runs October through May.

Flu can be very contagious. infection with the flu virus can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches.

The Department for Public Health is urging anyone who hasn’t received a flu vaccine, to get one.

It takes about two weeks after getting the flu shot for a person to develop protection from the flu.