PARKERSBURG -Along with the rest of West Virginia, the Mid-Ohio Valley is seeing a decline in H1N1 cases, an official said.

"We have been seeing a lot less people having flu-like symptoms in the past few weeks," said Carrie Brainard, flu information coordinator.

Information released Wednesday reported cases of H1N1 and influenza-like illness throughout West Virginia have dropped from about 13,000 a month ago to slightly more than 2,000 a week ago.

Dick Wittberg, executive director for the department, said the peak of the last wave of H1N1 in the area was at the end of October and into early November.

"According to Wood County Schools records, the peak was about a month ago and absenteeism in the schools has gone back up," Wittberg said. "At one point, one of the schools had almost 50 percent absenteeism and some others had about 30 percent."

The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health officials warn the drop in cases may just be a pause before another wave begins.

"Yes, we are seeing fewer cases, but do we think it's over with? Probably not," Brainard said.

Not only is West Virginia seeing a drop in cases, but so is the rest of the country.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, widespread infections were reported in 32 states as of Nov. 21, which is down from 43 states the previous week.

"With the H1N1 being new, we aren't sure how it acts," Brainard said. "All we know is what the experts suggest and that is that (the virus) may come in waves through April."

With this first wave having ebbed, Brainard and Wittberg hopes people take the opportunity to get the vaccination.

"The more people that get vaccinated, the more that stand a chance of getting a lesser version of the illness or not getting it at all," Brainard said.

The department has given about 20,000 vaccines in its six-county region with roughly 13,500 of those given in Wood County, Brainard said.

Wittberg said the H1N1 virus is very different from previous flus, which is part of the reason the department and other health departments nationwide are working to get information and vaccines to the public.

On Monday, the department will be in Ohio Valley University and West Virginia University at Parkersburg to administer vaccinations to students and staff with another public H1N1 clinic at the Dils Center from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

If a person, aged 3-years-old to 49-years-old, is healthy, they will receive the flu mist only.

If someone does not want to take the flu mist, they can attend the clinic Dec. 12 at the Mid-Ohio Valley Medical Office Building from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"We are seeing the most severe cases in children and pregnant women, which is highly unusual," he said. "Most flus usually hit the elderly first and this just isn't.

"We don't know why it hits who it does or why it can get as bad as it does all we know is that it is a bad flu, without a doubt."