Although the weather is warming up outside, Kansas City and the rest of Missouri are still experiencing flu season.
The influenza-like illness tracker on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website places Missouri in the “high” category, just one level below the “very high” category, according to the most recent data collection for the week ending Feb. 15. Kansas is currently at the highest level on the tracker.
The influenza season began on October 8 and will last until May, with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reporting more than 89,000 cases and 114 deaths during that time.
Where do the most flu cases occur in Missouri? Here’s the most recent data from the state health department.
Missouri counties with the most flu cases
The eastern part of Missouri has reported the most flu cases, 29,743. This region of the state encompasses counties such as St. Charles, St. Louis, Franklin, and Jefferson. St. Louis County also has the highest number of reported cases in the state, with 9,847. The City of St. Louis is its own jurisdiction in the health department’s database, with 3,757 cases reported.
Jackson County has reported 5,173 cases this season. However, Kansas City has its own jurisdiction on the database, which has reported 5,895 cases this flu season. Independence has reported 1,255 cases.
The northwestern part of Missouri, which includes Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties, as well as Kansas City and Independence, reported 25,688 cases this season.
Green County, in southwest Missouri, has reported 4,868 cases this season. Cities in the county include Springfield and Nixa.
Boone County, which includes Columbia, reports 3,684 cases.
