Flu activity in Minnesota upgraded to ‘widespread’

There has been a significant uptick in the number of people across the state getting sick from influenza recently, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Because of this increase, the level of flu activity in the state is now deemed “widespread.”

“Widespread” is the highest rating in the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s flu reporting system. It indicates that influenza cases have been reported in at least half of the state’s regions. State health officials believe that the virus previously known as “swine flu” is a prime culprit in the outbreak.

“Novel H1N1 has continued to cause illness in Minnesota all through the summer, and we have been anticipating a possible second wave of this illness,” said Dr. Sanne Magnan (pictured), the state’s health commissioner, in a statement announcing the new designation. “We strongly suspect that may be starting to happen now.”

More than 30 schools across the state have reported significant flu activity since classes began earlier this month. The state health department has asked schools to notify the agency if they believe more than five percent of their student population is absent because of flu-like symptoms.

So far there have been 272 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Minnesota. However, that’s likely a fraction of the total number of cases. That’s because the state health agency only tests in instances where the patient died or required hospitalization. Flu vaccinations that have proven effective in combating the virus are not slated to be available in Minnesota until next month.