WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ It arrived fairly late, but influenza appears to be quickly spreading in Kansas.

Health officials say five of the six regions in Kansas are reporting widespread flu-like illnesses. They say only southeast Kansas has been spared so far.

The usual peak for flu is in early to mid-January. Some years it has peaked earlier.

Lois Rahal is an infection control nurse at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She says the staff has had to scramble for beds for patients, because of the spike of flu cases.

Rahal says those with the flu have to be kept away from others.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this year's flu vaccine doesn't protect against all strains going around.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)