Politics & Government

State Health Officials Confirm 7 Flu Deaths, 28 More Under Investigation

By Bay City News Service

California Department of Public Health doctors said Friday morning there have been seven confirmed influenza deaths of people under age 65 in the state this winter season and 28 more influenza-related deaths are under investigation. 

Six of the seven deaths were from the H1N1 strain. The seven deaths as of Jan. 4 were in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Lassen, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Stanislaus counties. 

None of the seven deaths were children, said Dr. James Watt, chief of the Division of Communicable Disease Control in the state's Department of Public Health. The 28 deaths under investigation were reported after Jan. 4. 

It's not too late to get a flu vaccination. Find a location near you. 

This season's H1N1 influenza strain is challenging and is affecting young adults and children, said Dr. Gil Chavez, the state's epidemiologist and deputy director of its Center for Infectious Diseases. 

At least two of the seven who died had not been vaccinated and the vaccination status of the other five is unknown, Chavez said. Chavez said the number of confirmed influenza deaths is expected to rise by next Friday when the state releases the latest figures provided to the Department of Public Health from county public health departments. 

Common flu symptoms

Like the H1N1 influenza epidemic in 2009, the H1N1 virus this season does not discriminate by age, health officials said. The H1N1 virus in 2009 killed 607 people in California, Department of Public Health officials said. The flu season typically peaks in February or March. 

Those most at risk of contracting the H1N1 virus are the elderly, pregnant women, infants and people with other health conditions. In a news release today, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health, said the increase in flu activity is not unexpected and said it is not too late to get a flu shot. "California is seeing an accelerated increase in flu activity over the past few weeks. You can help prevent further spread of the flu by getting a flu shot," Chapman said. 

H1N1 is the predominant strain contained in this season's flu vaccine. The vaccine also contains the H3N2 and influenza B strains. It takes two weeks after an inoculation to be fully protected but the vaccine provides some benefit until then, Chavez said. 

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. Chavez said viruses other than H1N1 can also cause those symptoms, but a high fever and bad cough indicate influenza infection. 

People can stop the spread of flu by limiting contact with others when ill, covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based rub, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth.


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