L.A. County’s first flu dying confirmed; season could possibly be extreme

L.A. County has had its first flu dying in a season that well being officers have warned could possibly be extreme.

The county Division of Public Well being confirmed the influenza-associated fatality on Wednesday.

The dying occurred in an aged particular person with underlying well being circumstances who had not obtained a flu vaccination this season, in keeping with the Division of Public Well being.

“We ship our condolences to the household and family members of the individual we misplaced. This tragic dying reminds us how critical influenza will be,” Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County well being officer, stated in a information launch.

Flu exercise is low in the intervening time, although it’s more likely to enhance with Thanksgiving subsequent week and the vacation season, which generally entails extra aircraft journey and indoor gatherings.

Final 12 months’s flu season was the worst California had seen in years — and state well being officers have already warned that this 12 months might doubtlessly be simply as unhealthy.

Well being consultants, together with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, suggest an annual flu vaccination for everybody older than 6 months.

Nationwide, the variety of youngsters who died from flu final season — 280 — was the best in about 15 years, in keeping with one report. About 9 in 10 of these youngsters weren’t vaccinated, officers stated.

The flu vaccine will be administered concurrently the COVID-19 vaccine and takes two weeks for defense to develop.

“You may as well scale back your danger by taking easy however highly effective steps,” Davis stated. “[W]ash your palms ceaselessly, keep dwelling and away from others if you really feel sick, and put on a well-fitting masks in crowded indoor areas, round individuals at increased danger, or each time you will have signs.”

As respiratory virus exercise will increase in L.A. County, the Division of Public Well being additionally recommends that everybody 6 months and older obtain an up to date COVID-19 vaccine. RSV immunization can also be advisable for older adults, pregnant individuals and infants.

L.A. County residents can discover a vaccine web site close to them by visiting the division’s web site.