CDPH Confirms First Flu Death of a Person Under 65
Date: 12/1/2016
Number: 16-075
Contact: Ali Bay - (916) 440-7259
SACRAMENTO ā California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today announced that CDPH has received the first report of an influenza-associated fatality in a person under the age of 65 for the 2016-2017 flu season. The death occurred in Los Angeles County.
āAs this unfortunate case illustrates, the flu can be deadly and causes thousands of fatalities each year in the United States,ā Dr. Smith said. āFortunately, people can get vaccinated to help keep them from getting sick and spreading the flu to others.ā
While this is the first influenza-associated death in a patient under the age of 65 reported this season in California, CDPH has received reports of 11 confirmed influenza-associated cases that required treatment in an intensive care unit, and five influenza outbreaks in the state this year. Deaths due to influenza in persons under 65 years of age are reportable in CA to monitor the seasonal severity of influenza.
Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands or sometimes tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. To reduce this threat, CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women.
While seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, flu activity is usually highest between December and February, and can last through the Spring. As family and friends gather during the holidays, now is an important time to get protection against the flu. Itās not too late to get vaccinated.
Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, Californians should also:
- Stay home when sick
- Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue and properly dispose of the used tissue
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
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