An elderly southeast Kansas resident has died of the flu, state officials said Tuesday. It is the state’s first such death amid “widespread” reports of the virus.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the flu victim was a southeast Kansas resident over the age of 70; no other details were available.

“Unfortunately influenza can cause severe complications for some individuals whose immune system is compromised, and our hearts go out to the family suffering this loss,” said Richard Morrissey, interim health director for the KDHE.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital spokeswoman Michele Berendsen said flu activity hadn’t been “out of the range for normal at this time of year.”

The hospital’s lab has reported 31 confirmed cases since Jan. 3, she said. People with the virus have ranged in age from 43 days to 86 years old. But the numbers probably underestimate the spread.

“A lot of people don’t go to the doctor if they have influenza,” said Kim Ens, disease control program coordinator for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department.

Ens said local health departments weren’t required to report influenza cases to the state.

Health officials continue to encourage those who haven’t had a flu shot to get one. Earlier restrictions on vaccination eligibility have been lifted.

Ens said the local health department had about 100 vaccine doses available.

Few flu cases reported so far in county (01-19-05) Flu shot doses may be wasted (12-17-04) Flu vaccine now readily available in county (12-15-04)

“People traditionally don’t get flu shots in January, but it is definitely not too late to get the vaccine,” said Gail Hansen, KDHE’s interim epidemiologist. “We don’t know if we have reached the peak flu season yet, and vaccine is more available now than it was earlier in the season.”

As precautions against catching or spreading the flu, people should frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water and cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.