- Lake County News reports
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State: Season's flu deaths rise to 243
While more flu deaths have been confirmed in California, the number of flu cases overall appears to be decreasing, the state's health officer said Friday.
Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health and state health officer, said the number of confirmed influenza related deaths in the state has increased by 41 to a total of 243 confirmed deaths for the 2013-14 season. Four of the 243 are pediatric deaths.
There are an additional 41 deaths that are under investigation and have not yet bee confirmed as flu-related, Chapman said.
The 243 confirmed influenza-associated deaths this season have been reported by the following jurisdictions: Alameda (6), Contra Costa (6), El Dorado (2), Fresno (17), Glenn (1), Humboldt (1), Imperial (1), Kern (10), Kings (3), Lake (1), Lassen (1), Long Beach (5), Los Angeles (33), Madera (2), Marin (2), Mendocino (4), Merced (4), Monterey (2), Nevada (1), Orange (9), Riverside (9), Sacramento (23), San Benito (1), San Bernardino (18), San Diego (19), San Francisco (3), San Joaquin (6), San Luis Obispo (1), San Mateo (5), Santa Barbara (2), Santa Clara (12), Santa Cruz (3), Shasta (2), Siskiyou (2), Solano (2), Sonoma (7), Stanislaus (13), Tulare (2), Tuolumne (1), and Ventura (1).
The Lake County flu death, first reported last week, was a woman in the 30- to 40-year-old age range, as Lake County News has reported.
By this time last year, CDPH had received reports of a total of 26 influenza fatalities 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. Most of those with reported influenza deaths had onset of illness in previous weeks, according to Chapman.
Looking at the onset of illness, the number of deaths by week appears to be decreasing. Chapman reported that both outpatient visits and hospitalizations have decreased, and hospitalizations are within levels that would be expected at this point in the season.
“The downward trend in the number of influenza cases is a good sign, but the season is far from over,” said Dr. Chapman. “Unfortunately, this influenza season is still severe and the number of influenza related deaths continues to rise. Vaccination is still the best way to prevent illness and the spread of illness.”
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.
Lake County Public Health, located at 922 Bevins Court in Lakeport, continues to offer flu vaccine for all ages.
Vaccinations are offered for $2 each from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, and 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Call 707-263-1090 or 800-794-9291 to ensure availability.