The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Tuesday that the state’s first flu case of the 2008-2009 season has been identified in south-central Kansas.

Health officials are reminding Kansans that if they’ve not already done so, they should get their annual flu vaccination.

“Although we now know that flu has arrived once again in the state, flu activity is normally highest around February and influenza can continue to circulate through spring,” Sue Bowden, director of the Kansas Immunization Program, said in a news release. “It certainly is not too late to be vaccinated.”

Flu is a serious disease that can lead to complications such as pneumonia and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and 36,000 people die from flu each year.

Flu shots are available at the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. For clinic hours, click on their Web site, ldchealth.org, or call 843-0721.