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Missouri is reporting fewer flu cases than last year

November 9, 2004
By: Bente Birkeland
State Capital Bureau

Missouri is reporting fewer flu cases than at the same time last year. Bente Birkeland has more from Jefferson City

Each week, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services tallies flu statistics for the Center for Disease Control.

Its latest report shows the number of reported cases is lower than it was this time last year.

Stefanie Birk is the Director of Communicable Diseases at the Cole County Health Department.

She says the low numbers now do not mean Missouri will have fewer flu cases later.

Actuality:
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Contents: This is to be expected for this year. We won't start seeing more cases until December or January.

Birk says last year's flu season hit particularly early.

She says so far it looks like this flu season is right on target.

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Despite the flu vaccine shortage, Missouri health officials say this flu season is already off to a better start than last year. Bente Birkeland has more from Jefferson City.

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Missouri Department of Health reports show that this year's flu season is getting off to a slow start.

The number of reported cases is lower than it was this time last year.

Sue Denny, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Senior Services, says the numbers don't surprise her.

Actuality:
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Contents: We would certainly hope that with the activity we had last year, that we would not have as bad a season this year. It would be unusual to have two seasons like that back to back, but it could happen.

Denny says last year the flu hit Missouri hard. She says its too early to know if this year's numbers are part of a larger trend.

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Missouri health officials say this year's flu season is off to a slow start. Bente [BEN-TUH] Birkeland has more from Jefferson City.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The number of reported flu cases this year is down from last year. Missouri Department of Health reports show that last year's unusually early flu season isn't likely to be repeated.

Sue Denny, a spokesperson for Department of Health, says a late flu season can be a good season. She says, if the state receives additional flu vaccines, more people will get protected before the flu hits.

Actuality:
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Contents: We would like to see people to get a vaccine through January and February, if they haven't gotten it yet, but that doesn't often happen.

Denny says even when there is plenty vaccines available, a lot of people think they don't need one.