Like much of the nation, Callaway County this week experienced an increase outbreak of the flu, a local health official said Thursday.
"After a slight decline in the number of cases reported in December, we had an uptick in flu cases reported last week," said Jennifer Schmidt, communicable disease nurse at the Callaway County Health Department.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported the number of flu cases in Missouri has increased rapidly.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports this is the worst flu season in the United States in 10 years and the epidemic has not yet hit its peak.
The number of patients who have been hospitalized has doubled during the last month.
In Boston the mayor on Wednesday declared a public health emergency when the number of cases in that city increased 10 times above last year's reports.
Schmidt and other health authorities are recommending that every one over the age of six months get a flu shot.