First flu death of season reported in SLO County, health officials say
A man over the age of 60 has died due to complications related to influenza infection, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department said in a news release Tuesday.
The death of the county resident, who officials have not identified, is the first associated with the flu this flu season.
The health department said it is not known if the man had been vaccinated against the flu this season or if he had any underlying health risks.
Influenza activity is widespread in San Luis Obispo County and in every county across the state, health officials say. The California Department of Public Health has reported 70 deaths across the state from the flu since October, according to the San Luis Obispo Public Health Department.
The county agency issued an advisory on Jan. 8 warning residents that the flu season had not yet peaked and urging people to take appropriate precautions.
Though influenza type B is the most common flu strain detected across the state, type A influenza is also circulating in San Luis Obispo County, the agency said.
The San Luis Obispo County resident who died was infected with type A.
“This is a sad reminder that the flu can be very serious,” county health officer Penny Borenstein said in the news release. “We extend our sincere sympathy to this patient’s family and ask everyone to help play a part in reducing the spread of flu in our county. We can all take steps to protect ourselves and our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Flu shots are still effective, county officials say, and those who get a shot now but still get the flu will most likely have more mild symptoms and less risk of serious complications.
Shots are available at many local pharmacies or at county Public Health Department clinics.
The flu season generally begins in October or November, peaks between January and February, and can last as late as May.
For more information about this flu season in California, visit www.cdph.ca.gov.
This story was originally published January 14, 2020 at 11:20 AM.
