An outbreak of H1N1 Swine Flu was reported in Mexico in April 2009. By the end of May, it had spread across the U.S., with all 50 states reporting cases. In June, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak to be a pandemic, although it notes that most cases are only moderately severe. In Lawrence and across Kansas, the first non-border state to report anyone sick with swine flu, residents are taking precautions to keep from becoming sick.
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Get the facts: 2009-2010 flu season
Track flu data from state and federal public health agencies.
Walk-in immunizations
The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department is offering the H1N1 vaccine on a walk-in basis during clinic hours and during the lunch hour on the first floor of the Community Health Facility, 200 Maine. Those hours are: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except it opens at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and is open until 8 p.m. Mondays.
Information from the CDC
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Some basic facts about swine flu, according to the CDC, WHO and KDHE:
- The first novel H1N1 patient in the United States was confirmed by laboratory testing at CDC on April 15, 2009.
- The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu.
- Twenty-four Kansans have died because of swine flu.
- In Kansas, the youngest person to die from H1N1 was 6 and the oldest was 75.
- It is estimated that 22 million people in the United States had been infected with H1N1.
- As of Nov. 29, more than 207 countries had reported laboratory confirmed cases, including at least 8,768 deaths.
- Persons with H1N1 flu virus infection should be considered potentially contagious (able to spread disease) for up to 7 days after illness onset.
- Since Sept. 26, there have been 352 influenza/pneumonia-related deaths reported in Kansas. Fifteen of those — 4.2 percent — involved H1N1.
- Only three of the Kansas' 24 H1N1-related deaths have been people who are 65 or older.
Video: State health officer visits Lawrence H1N1 clinic
State health officer Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips visited Quail Run Elementary during the Wednesday H1N1 clinic. Watch »
Video: Swine flu vaccination shortage forces changes to local clinics
A shortage of swine flu vaccine has forced Kansas University and the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department to cancel five swine flu immunization clinics, leaving just two on the calendar. Watch »
Video: Area residents flock to Lawrence for Swine Flu clinic
Following months of anticipation, the area's first H1N1 clinic proved quite popular Wednesday. Watch »
Swine flu information
- CDC Swine Influenza information page — Up-to-date information on the outbreak from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Google Flu Trends — Google uses its collected search data to estimate flu activity in the U.S.
- Flu Clinic Locator — The American Lung Association's site to help you find a local place to get a flu shot.
- WebMD: Swine Flu Slideshow — Basic information about the disease, how it is transmitted, and what you can do.
- WHO: Swine influenza — The World Health Organization is coordinating and monitoring the global response to the outbreak.
- 10 things you should know about swine flu — A microbiologist answers common questions about the disease.
Swine Flu Pandemic features
KU Hospital offering drive-through flu shot clinic Oct. 30; Lawrence's set for this Saturday
Kansas University Hospital will offer free flu shots during its 16th annual Drive-Thru Flu Shot clinic on Oct. 30.
Lawrence's first drive-through flu vaccination clinic set for Saturday morning
Need a flu shot? Then, you won’t want to miss Lawrence’s first drive-through clinic on Saturday. You just drive up, turn in a vaccine consent form, and roll up your sleeve. The best part: It’s free.
WHO: Swine flu pandemic is over
The World Health Organization declared the swine flu pandemic officially over Tuesday, months after many national authorities started canceling vaccine orders and shutting down hot lines as the disease ebbed from the headlines.
More than a year later, H1N1 still a threat
It's been more than a year since the outbreak of the H1N1 virus. Health officials have learned a lot but say there are still things you need to know about the virus.
Another Kansan dies from H1N1 flu virus
A 71-year-old woman from northeast Kansas has died from the H1N1 flu virus. She was not from Douglas County.
Top stories
- H1N1 vaccine safety tracked
- Supply of swine flu shots to soon catch up with demand
More Swine Flu Pandemic
- H1N1 clinic tied to tournament game
- March 10, 2010
- Kansas University is having a special H1N1 flu vaccine clinic on Thursday during the first half of the men’s Big 12 Tournament game.
- Topeka resident dies from H1N1 flu virus, state health officer urges vaccination
- February 23, 2010
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment announces that a 60-year-old Topeka man has died from H1N1 influenza. State health officer says it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
- Mother of 2 dies of H1N1 complications
- February 14, 2010
- A mother of two hospitalized for more than three months because of complications from H1N1 has died.
- U.S. swine flu epidemic has ‘1 foot in grave’
- February 6, 2010
- If the U.S. swine flu epidemic isn’t over, it certainly looks as if it’s on its last legs.
- Report finds immunization rates for American adults dismal, far behind children’s rates
- February 4, 2010
- Routine vaccinations can save lives, yet millions of American adults are not getting them despite the recommendations of top medical experts.
- Q&A: Some H1N1 vaccinations contain thimerosal
- February 1, 2010
- Some of the H1N1 flu vaccinations given by the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department contain thimerosal. It has been determined to be safe by leading health agencies.
- Kansas health department reports 27th death statewide from H1N1, encourages vaccination
- January 29, 2010
- A 78-year-old woman from the Wichita area has died from infection with the H1N1 influenza virus. The death brings the total number of confirmed deaths from the pandemic strain statewide to 27.
- H1N1 flu immunization process no small task for Douglas County community
- January 28, 2010
- The planning process began in April, shortly after the first case was confirmed by the CDC on April 15. The first vaccine was given Oct. 21, 2009, at Haskell Indian Nations University. It was the first H1N1 vaccine clinic in Kansas.
- Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department schedules H1N1 clinics
- January 25, 2010
- In an effort to reach more people, the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department has scheduled five more H1N1 flu vaccine clinics.
- H1N1 clinics in area rescheduled
- January 19, 2010
- The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department has rescheduled H1N1 vaccination clinics in Eudora and Baldwin City that were canceled earlier this month because of a snowstorm.
- Health department reschedules H1N1 clinics in Eudora, Baldwin City
- January 16, 2010
- The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department has rescheduled H1N1 vaccination clinics in Eudora and Baldwin City. The clinics were canceled due to a snowstorm.
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