[ad_1]
L.A. County has had its first flu demise in a season that well being officers have warned may very well be extreme.
The county Division of Public Well being confirmed the influenza-associated fatality on Wednesday.
The demise occurred in an aged particular person with underlying well being circumstances who had not acquired a flu vaccination this season, in keeping with a Public Well being investigation.
“We ship our condolences to the household and family members of the individual we misplaced. This tragic demise reminds us how critical influenza may be,” Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County well being officer, stated in a information launch.
Flu exercise is low in the intervening time, although it’s prone to enhance with Thanksgiving subsequent week and the vacation season, which usually entails extra airplane journey and indoor gatherings.
Final yr’s flu season was the worst California had seen in years — and state well being officers have already warned that this yr might doubtlessly be simply as unhealthy.
Well being consultants, together with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, suggest an annual flu vaccination for everybody older than 6 months.
Nationwide, the variety of youngsters who died from flu final season — 280 — was the very best in about 15 years, in keeping with one report. About 9 in 10 of these youngsters weren’t vaccinated, officers stated.
The flu vaccine may be administered concurrently the COVID-19 vaccine and takes two weeks for defense to develop.
“You can too cut back your threat by taking easy however highly effective steps,” Davis stated. “[W]ash your palms continuously, keep residence and away from others if you really feel sick, and put on a well-fitting masks in crowded indoor areas, round individuals at increased threat, or every time you will have signs.”
As respiratory virus exercise will increase in LA County, the Public Well being Division additionally recommends that everybody 6 months and older obtain an up to date COVID-19 vaccine. RSV immunization can also be advisable for older adults, pregnant individuals and infants.
L.A. County residents can discover a vaccine website close to them by visiting the division’s web site.
[ad_2]
