A Southern California resident has become the state’s first person under 65 to die from influenza this flu season, health officials announced Friday.
Citing privacy concerns, the state Department of Public Health declined to provide any other specifics about the patient or where the person lived. The person was identified only as “an adult resident of Southern California.”
“Flu activity is beginning to increase statewide, including reports of hospitalizations and severe disease,” according to Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH director and state health officer. “We are early on in what could be a severe flu season, and I encourage everyone who has not yet gotten a flu vaccination to do so. The influenza vaccine remains the most effective way to protect yourself from the flu.”
Los Angeles County health officials last month reported that an elderly woman had died of the flu. Officials in San Diego County earlier this week reported the deaths of two women — age 88 and 85 — from the flu at a nursing facility.
Chapman said that in addition to getting vaccinated, people should also stay home when they are sick, cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and wash hands thoroughly.
— City News Service