Kentucky's current flu activity level is sporadic. Sporadic flu activity is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as small numbers of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases or a single laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreak has been reported, but there is no increase in cases of influenza-like illness.

It is the lowest level reporting flu activity. The activity levels for states are tracked weekly as part of the CDC’s national flu surveillance system. 

The chart below lists State Public Health Laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza and confirmed H1N1-related deaths reported in Kentucky since Aug. 1, 2009. Lab-confirmed cases are tracked as one part of the state Department for Public Health's overall flu surveillance efforts. These cases represent a small sample of the total cases of flu. Currently, the lab concentrates on testing samples from patients with influenza-like illness who are pregnant women, hospitalized or live in institutional settings.

The flu activity level is updated on Tuesday. The chart below is updated each Thursday. Totals are at the bottom of the chart. A daily listing of reported school dismissals related to influenza-like illness is also available.

Chart current: Jan. 8, 2010, at 1 p.m.