A Kentucky health official says 26 people have died in the state as a result of the flu this season. Public Health Deputy Commissioner Kraig Humbaugh said Thursday that the flu outbreak is at a widespread level statewide for the fifth straight week.
He says the 26 flu-related deaths in Kentucky included two children, five people between the ages of 18 and 64 and 19 who were 65 or older.
Last season, he says there were about 50 flu-related deaths in Kentucky.
Humbaugh says the flu vaccine isn't as well-matched to covering circulating flu strains as health officials would like to see. But he says the flu shot is still the best way to prevent the illness.
He says the flu season typically runs from October to May.