SD reports first lab-confirmed flu case of season
Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2008
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Health Department is reporting the state's first laboratory-confirmed influenza case of the season.
The department says a Sioux Falls resident in the 50-59 age group has Influenza A and is hospitalized.
Also this year, for the first time, South Dakota schools are voluntarily reporting students absent due to illness. So far, 170 schools with 32,000 students are participating, and last week, 2 percent were absent due to all illnesses.
Dr. Lon Kightlinger of the Health Department says flu vaccine is widely available. He also says free vaccine is available for children from 6 months to 18 years of age.
Kightlinger says 55,580 children reportedly have been vaccinated for the flu so far.
The department says a Sioux Falls resident in the 50-59 age group has Influenza A and is hospitalized.
Also this year, for the first time, South Dakota schools are voluntarily reporting students absent due to illness. So far, 170 schools with 32,000 students are participating, and last week, 2 percent were absent due to all illnesses.
Dr. Lon Kightlinger of the Health Department says flu vaccine is widely available. He also says free vaccine is available for children from 6 months to 18 years of age.
Kightlinger says 55,580 children reportedly have been vaccinated for the flu so far.
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