City of Kansas City, MO
01/07/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/07/2026 18:22
Flu Cases Surge in Kansas City
Flu Cases Surge in Kansas City
Health Officials Urge Vaccination
Health Officials Urge Vaccination
For immediate release: Friday, January 7, 2026
Influenza activity is climbing sharply in Kansas City, especially among children. The latest data shows a significant increase in reported cases. For the week of December 21-27, 2025, influenza cases doubled compared to the previous week, marking the fourth-highest weekly total in the past 15 years.
Data from the Kansas City Health Department's Communicable Disease Prevention team show that reported Flu cases in Kansas City, Missouri, far exceed the overall population rate of 199 cases per 100,000. Children ages 4 and under are currently the most affected group, with case rates of 728 per 100,000 for ages 0-4 and 535 per 100,000 for ages 5-14. Young adults (15-24) also show elevated rates at 240 cases per 100,000. "It is crucial that we take preventive measures to keep our loved ones, friends, and community safe. This includes staying at home from work, school, and social gatherings when sick. Our health impacts everything in our daily lives, including the ability to go to work, school, family functions, and so many other aspects of life," says Dr. Marvia Jones, Director of Health for the Kansas City Health Department.
The CDC's Influenza-Like Illness Activity Map for Missouri has increased from LOW to VERY HIGH, underscoring the urgency of preventive measures. Influenza A accounts for 91% of reported cases, while Influenza B has decreased, representing 9%. Flu reports continue to outpace COVID-19 cases in the region. Although children are currently experiencing the highest flu infection rates, the following groups face the greatest risk of severe complications:
- Adults aged 65 and older
- Individuals with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease)
- Pregnant people
- Young children under age 5, especially those younger than 2
Vaccination remains the best protection. Everyone aged 6 months and older should get a flu shot. Vaccines are safe and effective, with billions of doses administered in the U.S. over decades and serious adverse events remaining rare.
A Kansas City Health Department Epidemiologist encourages the community to take simple preventive measures to prevent the spread of the flu, such as washing hands to maintain good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable Kleenex or your arm, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, and staying home while sick. Individuals can seek medical care to test for the flu and determine whether antiviral medications can be prescribed.
A Kansas City Health Department Epidemiologist encourages the community to take simple preventive measures to prevent the spread of the flu, such as washing hands to maintain good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable Kleenex or your arm, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, and staying home while sick. Individuals can seek medical care to test for the flu and determine whether antiviral medications can be prescribed.
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City of Kansas City, MO published this content on January 07, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 08, 2026 at 00:22 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]