LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Los Angeles County health officials announced the first two flu-related deaths of the season Thursday.
Both people who died were elderly people who had pre-existing medication problems, which were not specified by the county Department of Public Health. One of the patients had not received a flu vaccine, while the other had been vaccinated a week before symptoms appeared. Health officials have noted that protection against the flu typically develops two weeks after receiving the vaccine.
No further details about the patients were released. We don’t know exactly when they died.
“These deaths remind us that the flu can cause serious illness and even death,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said in a statement. “We strongly encourage everyone six months and older to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. Vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death from infection for yourself, your loved ones and your community.
Flu activity in the county is higher than usual for this time of year, according to the Department of Public Health. Health officials said that in the week ending Oct. 10, 7.9% of samples tested in county labs were positive for influenza, while emergency room visits for influenza-like illness increased to 4.2%, up from 3.8% the previous week.
Also that week, the number of people hospitalized with the flu increased from 115 to 144.
An annual flu vaccine is recommended every 6 months or more.
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