MARGARET: WE ARE FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS. STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING THE FIRST FLU DEATH IN OUR STATE. WE ARE TOLD THE PERSON IS AN ADULT AND LIVED IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE. NO OTHER DETAILS HAVE BEEN RELEASED. 208 PEOPLE DIED FROM THE FLU VIRUS LAST SEASON.
First flu-related death announced in North Carolina
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health announced the first reported flu-related death of the 2019 – 2020 season.The death occurred during the first week of October and involved an adult in the central part of the state, according to the department.The person’s name, hometown, county, age and gender will not be released to protect the privacy of the family. “We are very saddened by this death and send condolences to the loved ones of this person,” said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D., MPH. “Flu is a serious illness and in some cases can lead to complications and even result in death, which is why we strongly encourage people to get vaccinated every year.” Last season, 208 flu-related deaths were reported, which was down from 391 deaths during the 2017 – 2018 flue season, according to the department.Of the 208 deaths last flu season, 133 people were older than 65 and five people were under the age of 18, the department said.The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a flu vaccination for everyone six months and older to prevent the flu, or if the person still gets it, make it milder. This is especially important for people at risk, such as those older than 65, under the age of 5, women who are pregnant and people with certain medical conditions, according to the CDC. To find a flu vaccine near you, visit flu.nc.gov. The flu is most common in North Carolina from late fall to early spring and usually peaks in January and February, according to the CDC.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health announced the first reported flu-related death of the 2019 – 2020 season.
The death occurred during the first week of October and involved an adult in the central part of the state, according to the department.
The person’s name, hometown, county, age and gender will not be released to protect the privacy of the family.
“We are very saddened by this death and send condolences to the loved ones of this person,” said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D., MPH. “Flu is a serious illness and in some cases can lead to complications and even result in death, which is why we strongly encourage people to get vaccinated every year.”
Last season, 208 flu-related deaths were reported, which was down from 391 deaths during the 2017 – 2018 flue season, according to the department.
Of the 208 deaths last flu season, 133 people were older than 65 and five people were under the age of 18, the department said.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a flu vaccination for everyone six months and older to prevent the flu, or if the person still gets it, make it milder. This is especially important for people at risk, such as those older than 65, under the age of 5, women who are pregnant and people with certain medical conditions, according to the CDC. To find a flu vaccine near you, visitflu.nc.gov.
The flu is most common in North Carolina from late fall to early spring and usually peaks in January and February, according to the CDC.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings