By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) announced the first death caused by the flu in the state. The death occurred in Tulsa County in a patient who was 65 years of age and older.

There have been 53 influenza-associated hospitalizations reported statewide. Persons of all ages have been hospitalized due to influenza; however, the highest rate has occurred among persons 50 years of age and older.

The OSDH reminds the public that we are just at the beginning of the flu season. The single best way to protect against flu and its consequences is to get the flu vaccine.

South Carolina

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced today that the state has suffered its first flu-associated death of the season.

A person receives the seasonal influenza vaccine (flu shot).
Imahe/NIAID

“Sadly, an individual from the Upstate region has died from complications due to the flu, our first lab-confirmed, influenza-associated death of the season,” said Linda Bell, M.D., State Epidemiologist and DHEC’s Director of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control.

“Unfortunately, we see many deaths, hospitalizations and other serious complications of flu each year in South Carolina,” said Dr. Bell. “The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu, and DHEC urges everyone six months and older to be vaccinated each season.”

Flu

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can cause mild to severe illness and can be deadly — especially to vulnerable people, including those with certain chronic health conditions. Symptoms can include a sudden onset of fever, dry cough, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, sore throat, and nasal congestion or stuffiness.

Those at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people 65 years and older, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease. However, healthy people also can have serious complications from the flu.