Eleven more people died from complications from influenza, bringing the total to 30, the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reported today.
Based on the latest Influenza Watch report, covering the week ending Feb. 2, 2013, HHSA reported the following:
- Total influenza deaths: 30 (up from 19)
- Influenza-like-illness at emergency departments: 12 percent (same as previous week)
- Total lab-confirmed influenza cases to date: 2,957 (916 more cases than previous report)
- Lab-confirmed influenza cases for the week: 855 (previous week’s total revised upward to 926)
San Diego residents who died with influenza ranged in age from 42 to 99 years and all but one had underlying medical conditions or advanced age. The total number of deaths is higher than last flu season when 14 deaths were reported and is now the second highest on record. Fifty-eight deaths were reported in the 2009-2010 flu season.
County health officials say the reported numbers of deaths and laboratory-confirmed flu cases are within levels expected for a moderately severe influenza season.
“Influenza deaths are unfortunate, but they serve to remind us that people should get vaccinated,” said Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer. “Although more people become ill with the flu in the winter months, the disease can be contracted at anytime during the year, so it is never too late for a flu shot.”
Influenza is affecting the elderly much more this season, but pregnant women, infants, and people with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or a compromised immune system are also at higher risk for complications from the flu.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone six months and older, who are not allergic, get a flu vaccine every year. The vaccine is safe and effective and there is still plenty vaccine available at many locations. It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop after getting vaccinated.
This season’s flu vaccine offers protection against Influenza A H3N2, Pandemic H1N1-like, and Influenza B strains; it is well matched for the viruses that are circulating, and has been determined by the CDC to be 62% effective.
The vaccine is available throughout San Diego County at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. County public health centers have flu vaccine available for children and adults with no medical insurance. For a list of locations, visit www.sdiz.org or call 2-1-1.
Most people who become ill, McDonald said, will not need medical attention and should recuperate at home to avoid exposing others. Individuals with underlying medical conditions and those with symptoms that do not improve or that worsen should seek medical attention from their doctor or urgent care provider. Only those who are very sick should go to local emergency departments.
In addition to getting the vaccine, there are other precautions people can take to avoid getting sick: wash your hands thoroughly and often, use hand sanitizers, stay away from sick people, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and clean commonly touched surfaces. If you are sick, stay home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and avoid contact with others.
