Louisville health experts stress importance of flu vaccine with cases on the rise

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Flu cases are on the rise in Louisville and around Kentucky.

The state reported the first pediatric death from the flu Friday, releasing few details other than the child didn't get the flu vaccine.

"Influenza is on the rise across Kentucky," Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the state Department for Public Health, said in a news release Friday. "Unfortunately, viruses like influenza and COVID-19 are serious diseases that can be deadly to some people, including children. Vaccination is the best way to prevent severe illness and death."

Data from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness shows flu cases have increased by 3,000 cases — from more than 6,000 to nearly 9,000 — since last week.

So far this season in Jefferson County, there have been six reported flu-related deaths and at least 32 outbreaks in congregate settings like schools and day cares.

Doctors said the best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get the flu vaccine. And it's not too late to get the shot, but it does take a couple weeks to take effect.

"Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older and they help keep kids healthy," said Dr. Kris Bryant with the Louisville health department. "They reduce doctor visits for flu, emergency department visits for flu and they reduce the likelihood that a child will end up in the hospital."

Bryant said people should still consider getting a flu vaccine, as an outbreak can last several weeks. But it is important to remember it takes nearly two weeks for your body to produce the effective antibodies.

"Getting flu vaccine is not going to protect you if you've already been exposed yesterday," Bryant said. "But it will protect you in the weeks to come."

More than a dozen school districts in Kentucky and southern Indiana are on pause or using non-traditional learning because so many students and staff are sick. Many districts in the Louisville area canceled days or called out for the rest of the week, including Hardin and Bullitt counties.

Jefferson County Public Schools is on NTI both Friday and Monday due to sickness.

"Yesterday, we had already had nearly 800 teachers who had said that they weren't going to be in today," said Carolyn Callahan, a JCPS spokesperson.

Callahan said crews spent Friday deep cleaning school buildings and will continue that work this weekend.

"This gives us an opportunity to really spend some more time on high-use areas, high-traffic areas and flat surfaces so our crews will be working on this all weekend as well,' Callahan said.

JCPS hopes utilizing two NTI days around the weekend will allow students and staff ample time to recover.

Oldham County was scheduled to be back Friday after three days of NTI but said Thursday afternoon that school would be canceled with no NTI, and Enrichment Centers will also be closed. The district will make up the day May 28.

JCPS said Wednesday it noticed the spread varies from school to school. The symptoms are typical of flu A, which is headache, stomach ache and sore throat.

During the days the districts are closed, staff has been doing a deep-clean of school facilities. JCPS offered three tips Wednesday to help protect children from sickness:

Keep sick children at home: If your child has flu symptoms, please keep them home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and feel well enough to participate in daily activities.
Consider flu vaccination: If you or your child has not yet been vaccinated, now is the time. The flu vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent severe illness. If your child does not have a healthcare provider or health insurance, please call (502) 485-3387 for assistance in scheduling a flu vaccine appointment at a school-based clinic or our clinic at 3001 Crittenden Drive.
Consult a healthcare provider: If you or your child develop flu symptoms or you have concerns about their health, please follow up with a healthcare provider. If your child does not have a provider, our school nurses and nurse practitioners are available to offer guidance.

The city's health department also tracks reported-flu cases by zip code. For that map, and further flu-related data, click here.

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