The Norman Transcript

State/Region

Discussion

January 11, 2013

Sharp increase in state flu cases, deaths

By Ken Miller Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — The number of Oklahomans hospitalized with the flu has more than doubled in the past week to surpass the total number during last year’s flu season, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported Thursday.

The department also said the number of deaths related to the illness is nearly equal to last season.

The Health Department reported 345 people have been hospitalized due to influenza during the current flu season, up from 171 a week ago, and eight people have died as a result of the flu, an increase of six since last week.

In the 2011-12 flu season, 316 people were hospitalized and nine people died, the department reported.

The flu season is considered to run from September through May, and health department epidemiologist Laurence Burnsed said this is the time of year that the disease typically peaks.

“There are several factors, some are not clearly understood. It does seem that it was a mild season last year,” Burnsed said. “Some of the reasons are the strain of influenza, A-H3, this is what the vaccine targets, but this (strain) has been noted to cause a more serious, more intense or severe (flu) season ... This is not necessarily a more deadly strain,” he said.

Those most susceptible are children younger than 5, people over age 65 and those with diseases such as lung disease or asthma. Burnsed declined to speculate on how intense the flu season may become during the next several weeks.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
State/Region
  • Tornadoes level homes in Oklahoma

    SHAWNEE — One of several tornadoes that touched down Sunday in Oklahoma turned homes in a trailer park near Oklahoma City into splinters and rubble and sent frightened residents along a 100-mile corridor scurrying for shelter....

    May 20, 2013

  • Legislators unlikely to tackle tax credits

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Despite calls by several Oklahoma legislators to address hundreds of millions of dollars in state tax credits and exemptions for businesses and industries, little has been done....

    May 19, 2013

  • Fallin urges last-minute health care fix

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Mary Fallin proposed a last-minute legislative change Friday to the state’s Insure Oklahoma program that would direct $50 million in state tobacco taxes to pay for more than 9,000 people who are expected to lose their ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Lawmakers near passage of DNA test bill

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Convicted criminals who maintain their innocence would have a way to seek DNA testing to help prove their cases under a bill that is nearing final passage in the Legislature and would eliminate Oklahoma’s dubious ...

    May 18, 2013

  • 2 found dead in west Tulsa home

    TULSA — Tulsa police say a man and woman have been found in what officers tell reporters may be a murder-suicide....

    May 15, 2013

  • Police find man’s body near creek in Pauls Valley

    PAULS VALLEY — Police in Pauls Valley say officers investigating reports of a fight found a man’s body near Rush Creek....

    May 15, 2013

  • Oklahoma gas prices up 20 cents in past week

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Gas prices across Oklahoma are up sharply during the past week — rising 20 cents per gallon. AAA Oklahoma reports the average price for a gallon of self-serve regular on Tuesday is $3.58 — compared to $3.38 a week ago....

    May 15, 2013

  • Senate OKs $7.1B budget bill

    OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Senate gave final legislative approval on Tuesday to a $7.1 billion general appropriations bill to fund state government for the upcoming fiscal year, overcoming the objections of Democrats and some Republicans ...

    May 15, 2013

  • Muldrow removes 10 Commandments

    MULDROW — Plaques displaying the Ten Commandments have been removed from classrooms in the Muldrow School District after its board opted to “honor thy constitution” rather than risk a federal lawsuit....

    May 15, 2013

  • Reflections of Hope Award goes to Pakistani girl shot by Taliban

    OKLAHOMA CITY — A Pakistani human rights activist who founded an all-girls school said the Taliban was “more afraid of the books than bombs” as he and his 15-year-old daughter, who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban late last ...

    May 14, 2013