How the flu is impacting Kentuckians

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — While the flu is on the decline in Central Kentucky, other places are still experiencing the deadly effects from the virus.

According to the state, one child from the Barren River Health District and another child from Jefferson County died from the flu.

“It was kind of a later flu season than usual,” Kelly Taulbee with Kentucky Voices for Health said.

Health officials say peak flu season in Kentucky is late January and early February.

“That does not mean that the flu is not still in Central Kentucky. We haven’t had any deaths from the flu in Lexington this year, and we want to keep it that way.” Kevin Hall with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department said.

Experts say to stay on the lookout for more than just the flu.

“It’s Covid, it’s RSV, [and] whooping cough is still in Kentucky,” Hall said.

This year, state officials added measles to the list.

“A lot of folks associate measles as being a skin rash, and that is part of the disease that can manifest, but it is a very intensely respiratory-spread disease,” Taulbee said.

Medical experts say vaccines are the best way to prevent getting sick during this season.

“There is a very safe and preventable measure that we can be taking to protect our children from becoming deathly ill,” Taulbee said.