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Kansas Among Hardest Hit With Flu Virus

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Kansas is among the 10 states that are currently being hit hardest with the flu virus.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says there have now been 495 flu-related deaths in the 2012-2013 season that began in October. That number includes 35 deaths in the last week.

The number comes at the tail end of the worst week for Kansas so far in this year's flu season.

KDHE spokesperson Miranda Steele, says the rate is now starting to drop, with infection rates in Kansas down from more that 5 percent to 4.5 percent.

There was a smaller drop in infection rates for south-central Kansas, including Sedgwick County. Currently 4.7 percent of the south-central Kansas population is experiencing flu.

Steele says the recent drop in infections does not mean flu season is winding down. She says the rate of infection could jump back up at any time.

Steele also says its not too late to get a vaccination.