Douglas County Flu Surveillance

Influenza, more commonly known as flu, is currently not a reportable disease to the Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health. Therefore, it is often difficult for the Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health to accurately track influenza rates as it moves through the county and the state.  One indicator used for flu surveillance is the presentation of influenza-like illness (ILI) patients at health care facilities.

We have compiled the Douglas County Flu Surveillance tool as a way to as accurately as possible keep the community informed about the level of influenza present. You can visit the tool via this link throughout the flu season to examine the level of flu activity.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza-like illness is defined as a patient with a fever above 100 degrees with a sore throat and/or cough without a known cause other than influenza.  We encourage anyone 6 months or older to get a flu shot because it is the best protection against the flu. 

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, 200 Maine St., offers flu shots during clinic hours. Public Health accepts private insurance, Medicare Part B, Medicaid and KanCare insurance plans.

Additionally, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health will make an announcement about 2020 scheduled community flu vaccination clinics in Douglas County communities. Participants should bring health insurance information or cash, credit card or check.