An 80-year-old man from North County is the third influenza death reported in San Diego this season, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.
The man died Nov. 1. He had been vaccinated and had underlying medical conditions.
“Influenza can be deadly, especially for those with underlying medical conditions,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Our condolences go out to the man’s family and friends.”
Last week, a total of 58 lab-confirmed flu cases were reported in San Diego County, nearly doubling the 30 cases that were confirmed the previous week. To date, a total of 420 influenza cases have been reported in the region, more than double the 157 cases that had been reported at the same time last year.
“The higher number of cases is an indication that influenza activity is increasing in the region,” Wooten added. “If you have not gotten a flu shot, do it now. The vaccine is here and readily available.”
To date, three San Diegans have died from influenza this season, compared to one death at the same time last year. Last season, 77 people in the region died from complications from the flu and 9,655 lab-confirmed cases were reported. That was down from the previous season’s 343 deaths and 20,833 lab-confirmed cases.
The County Health and Human Services Agency publishes the Influenza Watch weekly report, which tracks key flu indicators and summarizes influenza surveillance in the region. The report is released every Wednesday during the flu season.
For the week ending Nov. 2, 2019, the Influenza Watch report shows the following:
- Emergency department visits for influenza-like illness: 3 percent of all visits (compared to 3 percent the previous week)
- Lab-confirmed influenza cases for the week: 58 (compared to 30 the previous week)
- Total influenza deaths to date: 3 (compared to 1 at this time last season)
- Total lab-confirmed cases to date: 420 (compared to 157 last season)
Your Best Shot Against the Flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop.
Flu vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk of developing serious complications from influenza. They include:
- People with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and lung disease, even if symptoms are under control
- Pregnant women
- People 65 years and older
- People who live with or care for others who are at higher risk
In addition to getting vaccinated, people should also do the following to avoid getting sick:
- Wash hands thoroughly and often
- Use hand sanitizers
- Stay away from sick people
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Clean commonly touched surfaces
- If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others
The flu vaccine is available at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. If you don’t have medical insurance, you can go to a County public health center to get vaccinated. For a list of locations, visit www.sdiz.org or call 211 San Diego.
