The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Tuesday released some sobering news. Based on data from the Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network, influenza activity has increased in nearly every region of the state.Furthermore, overall, more than 10 percent of patient visits to ILINet clinics during the week ending Dec. 20 were due to influenza-like illness, and Kansas is reporting “widespread” influenza activity. From Sept. 1 through Dec. 20, 333 influenza- or pneumonia-related deaths have been reported in Kansas during the current influenza season, the KDHE noted.On average, five to 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts the flu yearly, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications.