In the latest report from the state, health officials said Friday that the number of confirmed seasonal influenza deaths in California has risen to 278.
Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, said those 278 deaths for the 2013-14 season were in persons under 65 years of age.
Chapman said that of the total confirmed flu deaths, six were children.
There are an additional 29 deaths under investigation, not yet confirmed, Chapman said.
One flu death in Lake County was reported earlier this month in a woman in the 30- to 40-year-old age group, as Lake County News has reported.
The 278 confirmed influenza-associated deaths this season have been reported by the following jurisdictions: Alameda (6), Butte (1), Calaveras (2), Contra Costa (6), El Dorado (2), Fresno (21), Glenn (1), Humboldt (1), Imperial (1), Kern (10), Kings (4), Lake (1), Lassen (1), Long Beach (7), Los Angeles (36), Madera (2), Marin (2), Mendocino (4), Merced (5), Monterey (5), Nevada (1), Orange (10), Riverside (10), Sacramento (25), San Bernardino (19), San Diego (23), San Francisco (3), San Joaquin (6), San Luis Obispo (1), San Mateo (6), Santa Barbara (3), Santa Clara (14), Santa Cruz (3), Shasta (3), Siskiyou (2), Solano (3), Sonoma (7), Stanislaus (13), Sutter (1), Tulare (3), Tuolumne (1) and Ventura (3).
By this time last year, CDPH had received reports of a total of 32 influenza fatalities in persons under 65 years of age and in all of the 2012-13 season, a total of 106 deaths were reported.
The great majority of reported influenza deaths in persons under 65 years of age have occurred in people with underlying medical conditions. Both outpatient visits and hospitalizations continue to decrease. The influenza season status remains widespread.
“Even a single death from the flu is a tragedy,” said Dr. Chapman. “The best way to prevent influenza is by getting vaccinated. The influenza season continues and it’s not too late for vaccination.”
Those at highest risk – the elderly, pregnant women, infants, or those with other health conditions – who show flu symptoms should contact their physician immediately in order to get the most effective treatment. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.
For information on local vaccinations, call Lake County Public Health, 707-263-1090 or 800-794-9291.