JACKSON — Mississippi health officials are confirming the state’s first case of the flu for the 2016-17 season.
A state Department of Health news release says Thursday that the patient is from the central part of the state, but it did not mention which city or county.
Individual flu cases are not reported to the health department. But, the agency monitors flu activity through a system in which health care providers report the percentage of patients with flu-like symptoms.
County health department clinics this year are offering flu shots for children and uninsured adults — but the county clinics are not offering the shots to adults who have insurance. The shots are available through private doctors’ offices and pharmacies.
The state Department of Health did not provide an explanation for the change.
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