L.A. County's first flu death confirmed in a season that could be harsh

L.A. County has had its archetypal flu decease successful a play that wellness officials person warned could beryllium severe.

The region Department of Public Health confirmed the influenza-associated fatality connected Wednesday.

The decease occurred successful an aged idiosyncratic with underlying wellness conditions who had not received a flu vaccination this season, according to a Public Health investigation.

“We nonstop our condolences to the household and loved ones of the idiosyncratic we lost. This tragic decease reminds america however superior influenza tin be,” Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County wellness officer, said successful a quality release.

Flu enactment is debased astatine the moment, though it is apt to summation with Thanksgiving adjacent week and the vacation season, which typically involves much level question and indoor gatherings.

Last year’s flu play was the worst California had seen successful years — and authorities wellness officials person already warned that this twelvemonth could perchance beryllium conscionable arsenic bad.

Health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urge an yearly flu vaccination for everyone older than 6 months.

Nationwide, the fig of children who died from flu past play — 280 — was the highest successful astir 15 years, according to 1 report. About 9 successful 10 of those children were not vaccinated, officials said.

The flu vaccine tin beryllium administered astatine the aforesaid clip arsenic the COVID-19 vaccine and takes 2 weeks for extortion to develop.

“You tin besides trim your hazard by taking elemental but almighty steps,” Davis said. “[W]ash your hands frequently, enactment location and distant from others erstwhile you consciousness sick, and deterioration a well-fitting disguise successful crowded indoor spaces, astir radical astatine higher risk, oregon whenever you person symptoms.”

As respiratory microorganism enactment increases successful LA County, the Public Health Department besides recommends that everyone 6 months and older person an updated COVID-19 vaccine. RSV immunization is besides recommended for older adults, large radical and infants.

L.A. County residents tin find a vaccine tract adjacent them by visiting the department’s website.