State Health Official: H1N1 Could Kill 2,500 Kansans

The Kansas Health Officer predicts, in a worse case scenario, one million Kansans will come down with H1N1, 5,000 people will be hospitalized and 2,500 people will die from the H1N1 flu.

Those numbers were released at Wesley Medical Center’s staff meeting Thursday morning.

Emergency Preparedness Director Diana Lippoldt explained to management at the hospital the plan just in case the H1N1 flu ramps up. All Wesley staff is being asked to either get a seasonal flu shot or wear a mask while at work from October first through March to protect themselves and patients.

Wesley is also making sure it has enough beds, ventilators and supplies so it doesn’t become overwhelmed by an influx of patients with H1N1.

Via Christi is also prepared, planning for a bad flu season.